As a new bariatric surgery patient, you will have a lot of questions and concerns. At Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, we hope to put your mind at ease during our initial consultation and through our partnership with UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital. From the moment you contact us to every step of your journey after surgery, BMI and UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital will be there for you.
In this post, we will cover the patient experience before, during, and after bariatric surgery, including the peace of mind that comes with our surgical center’s partnership with UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Insurance and Pre-Surgery
Many insurance companies do not provide coverage for bariatric surgery, and those that do usually require a 6-month, physician-supervised diet and exercise program before they will approve coverage for the operation. The goal of this program is to document that you have already tried diet and exercise to lose weight, but you still require surgery to meet your weight loss goals.
If you are paying out of pocket, the procedure can be quite expensive. However, because we have a strong partnership with UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama, we can negotiate affordable rates for our patients, making us one of the most affordable surgical centers for bariatric surgeries, like gastric sleeve surgery, in the United States. We also provide financing options for qualifying patients.
Pre-Op Testing
Before surgery, every patient must receive a letter of medical clearance. Because many individuals struggling with obesity also face health conditions like heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure, some may need cardiac clearance to ensure it’s safe to move forward with surgery.
During your initial consultation and pre-op testing, we’ll assess your overall health and determine if additional support is needed. In certain cases—such as patients with a very high BMI or those requiring a more complex procedure—we may refer you to have surgery at UAB St. Vincent’s, where additional resources and specialized care are available.
We also host support group meetings before surgery to help you prepare emotionally and mentally. Connecting with others who’ve walked a similar path (or are currently on it) can make a world of difference. Having that encouragement and shared experience can be the extra push you need to stay motivated and achieve your weight-loss goals.
The First Few Weeks Before Bariatric Surgery
As your surgery date approaches, the focus shifts to education, preparation, and getting your home life ready for recovery. Here’s what to expect:
Pre-Op Nutrition & Education
During this time, you’ll attend a pre-op nutrition class led by our experienced bariatric nutritionist. Since your eating habits will change significantly after surgery, this class gives you the tools to confidently plan, prepare, and eat meals in a way that supports your recovery and long-term goals.
Our nutritionist understands the journey firsthand and can help address not only dietary concerns but also the emotional side of the process, so you feel supported in every way.
Preparing Your Home & Support System
In the weeks before surgery, making your home recovery-friendly is important. We recommend arranging for a friend or family member to stay with you, especially if you have children. Stock your pantry and fridge with approved diet-friendly foods and liquids that will be easy to access after surgery.
You’ll also be prescribed five medications that need to be filled before your operation. Having these ready beforehand helps guarantee a smooth recovery and keeps you focused on healing.
Two Weeks Before Bariatric Surgery
In the two weeks before your surgery, you will start a full-liquid, high-protein, low-calorie diet. Here are a few things you can eat during this time:
- Protein Shakes
- Pudding
- Smoothies
- Strained, Creamy Soups
The day before surgery, you’ll start a clear liquid diet, which will consist of options such as:
- Bone broth
- Water
- Tea
- Any other clear liquid that you can see through
The point of this liquid diet is to reduce the amount of toxins and fat in and around your liver to minimize risks during surgery. This diet is known to reduce the liver’s size, making it easier to access the areas we need for your bariatric surgery.
Post-Operation Bariatric Patient Expectations
Recovery after bariatric surgery looks a little different for everyone, depending on the procedure performed and how it’s being paid for. Here’s what to expect immediately following your surgery:
Hospital Stays
If you’re using insurance to cover your surgery, you’ll likely need to stay in the hospital overnight for monitoring and initial recovery. However, if you’re self-paying (not using insurance), you may be able to go home the same day—depending on your health and how the surgery goes.
Diet After Surgery: Gastric Sleeve vs. Gastric Bypass
Gastric Sleeve Patients
You’ll begin a clear liquid diet immediately after surgery. This helps your stomach begin the healing process with minimal strain.
Gastric Bypass patients
Before starting your liquid diet, you’ll undergo an upper GI study the morning after surgery to check for any leaks or obstructions. Once cleared, you’ll begin your clear liquid diet.
The Bariatric Diet Progression
After either surgery, your diet will follow a slow, intentional progression to allow your stomach time to heal properly. This typically follows these stages:
- Clear Liquids: Broth, water, sugar-free drinks, and gelatin
- Full Liquids: Protein shakes, milk, creamy soups (as recommended)
- Soft Foods: Creamy or mashed consistency foods that are gentle on your stomach
- Regular Foods: Slowly reintroducing meats and other solid foods according to your personalized diet plan
This full transition usually takes about a month, depending on your procedure and how your body responds. The gradual approach helps minimize irritation and supports long-term success.
Restrictions After Bariatric Surgery
To give your body the best chance to heal, avoid lifting anything heavier than 10 pounds for at least one month after surgery. You should also steer clear of exercises that strain your abdominal muscles, like sit-ups or crunches, to help prevent hernias at the incision sites.
After four weeks, and once you’ve been cleared by your doctor, you should be able to ease back into your regular fitness routine and resume your usual activities with confidence.
Success After Bariatric Surgery
Following your medication schedule and sticking to your personalized diet plan are two of the most important things you can do to ensure a successful outcome. But you don’t have to do it alone.
Patients who surround themselves with a strong support system—whether that’s family, friends, or others on the same journey—are more likely to stay on track and maintain long-term results. That’s why we encourage all of our patients to join support groups, including those offered through St. Vincent’s and Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery.
Our Hospital Partnership with UAB St.Vincent’s Offers Peace of Mind
Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery partners with UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital to ensure our patients have peace of mind knowing they will get excellent care and have extra support in case of an emergency. Also, as partners of UAB St. Vincent’s, our team gets a variety of benefits, including:
Ongoing Education
UAB St. Vincent’s provides ongoing education on weight loss procedures and nutrition that we can pass on through our seminars to other providers.
Better Customized Care
Initial consultations help us assess our patients’ specific needs. This allows us to create a care plan tailored to each individual, which may require them to have surgery at UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital.
Professional Emergency Assistance
While most of our procedures are completed on an outpatient basis, partnering with UAB St. Vincent’s allows us to give patients peace of mind because they know that if something unexpected happens during surgery, they can be easily transferred to a distinguished hospital.
Increased Affordability
Our partnership with UAB St. Vincent’s makes it easier for us to negotiate more affordable rates for our patients when their insurance will not cover their procedure.
Consistent Care
Primary care physicians at UAB St. Vincent’s have easy access to our patients’ records from the surgical center, which allows them to provide the necessary follow-up care without the patient having to obtain records themselves to share with their provider.
Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery Specializes in Bariatric Surgery
Dr. Jay Long of Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery is a board-certified general surgeon recognized for his excellence in laparoscopic procedures. He completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas. With more than two decades of experience in weight loss surgery, Dr. Long has consistently delivered outstanding outcomes. He is affiliated with the American College of Surgeons’ Center of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery and holds certification in LAP-Band Total Care. Since opening his practice in 2006, he has been serving patients at UAB St. Vincent’s East and UAB St. Vincent’s St. Clair.
Get Peace of Mind for Your Bariatric Surgery with BMI and UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital
When you decide to have weight loss surgery, there is a lot of information to take in and a lot of decisions to be made. Choosing a bariatric surgical center that partners with a local hospital ensures you will have optimal care and peace of mind. To learn more about patient experiences with bariatric surgery or the surgical center at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery and our partnership with UAB St. Vincent’s Hospital in Birmingham, contact us at (205) 858-1211.
