Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions – Dr. V. Kuzinkovas

Bariatric Surgery FAQs

At Advance Surgicare, Sydney bariatric surgeon Dr. V. Kuzinkovas and his dedicated team realize that the decision to undergo weight loss surgery is an important one. They recognize that patients like you might have questions about what to expect with bariatric surgery.

To help answer some of these questions, here are the top 10 frequently asked questions that Dr. Kuzinkovas and his team hear from individuals pursuing bariatric weight loss surgery.

1. What do I need to bring to my first office visit?

On your first visit to our Sydney office, please bring:

• A referral letter from your general practitioner, family physician or other doctor

• Your private medical insurance information, Medicare card, and pension card, as applicable
• Pertinent medical reports, X-rays results, MRI results, CT scan results, etc., as well as any other relevant information

2. Are my medical records kept private and confidential?

Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. As a condition of employment, our staff is bound by strict patient confidentiality requirements. Ordinarily, we do not release the content of your medical file without your consent.

3. What types of bariatric surgery procedures do you offer?

Dr. Kuzinkovas offers sleeve gastrectomy surgery, gastric bypass surgery and adjustable gastric banding surgery with the Lap-Band, as well as revision bariatric procedures. He performs all procedures with the less-invasive laparoscopic approach, as long as it is medically appropriate for the patient.

4. Do I need a referral from my family doctor to obtain medical care from a weight loss specialist such as Dr. Kuzinkovas?

Yes, Advanced Surgicare, like most medical specialists, only accepts new patients who have been referred to us by their family doctor or general physician. This is our policy for several reasons. First, your family doctor can verify that you will benefit from specialist care as well as help you choose which specialist will best satisfy your individual needs and health condition. Secondly, the family doctor can help the specialist provide thorough care by providing relevant information about your health and medical history. Finally, Medicare pays higher rebates to you for specialist services if your general physician or another doctor has referred you for a treatment to Advanced Surgicare.

5. What should I expect during my initial consultation?

During your initial consultation, Dr. Kuzinkovas reviews your weight loss goals. He will ask you several questions about your medical and weight loss history and any other relevant topics. He will conduct a physical exam if necessary. If you require any test as part of your comprehensive assessment, he will explain the details of the test.

Once your test results are back, Dr. Kuzinkovas will give you a diagnosis and will help you decide on which bariatric surgical procedure is appropriate for you. He then explains the procedure in detail and gives you instructions for the next step in the process. During this time, he can answer any questions you have.

6. Aside from bariatric surgery, do you offer any other weight loss support, such as a nutrition advice?

Yes, at Advanced Surgicare, we believe that providing comprehensive weight loss support greatly increases your chance of successfully achieving and maintaining your weight loss goals. Our comprehensive weight loss program includes preoperative patient education, a structured postoperative follow-up schedule, nutrition advice, a customized exercise program and psychological counseling, if needed.

7. Can losing weight with bariatric surgery help me resolve my obesity-related co-morbid health conditions?

Yes, successfully losing the excess weight (and keeping it off) with the help of bariatric surgery often helps patients resolve their obesity-related health problems, known as “co-morbidities.” Co-morbid health problems commonly include type-2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea, depression and others.

8. What is the diet like after weight loss surgery?

Limiting your portion sizes while consuming healthy, nutritious foods is essential to losing the excess weight and keeping it off. To help you learn how to adhere to a healthier diet while still feeling satisfied and getting the right nutrients, Advanced Surgicare provides nutrition counseling as part of our comprehensive weight loss program.

In general, you can expect to be on an entirely liquid diet for the first week after your bariatric procedure. You will add protein shakes and skim milk during the second to fourth week after weight loss surgery. You then gradually advance to eating pureed foods and then soft foods before progressing to a diet of solid foods, by about the sixth week after surgery. You should continue to eat small portions of healthy solid foods for the rest of your life.

9. What degree of weight loss can I expect following bariatric surgery?

The amount of weight loss varies by patient, depending on several factors such as the type of bariatric procedure performed and how well the individual adheres to a healthy diet and exercise plan after surgery. However, on average, individuals lose about 70 percent of their excess weight after gastric bypass surgery, 60-70 percent after sleeve gastrectomy surgery and about 47 percent of their extra weight with Lap Band surgery. The most dramatic rate of weight loss usually occurs in the first two to three months after surgery, with the rate of weight loss slowing after about the first six months after surgery.

Note: It is possible to gain back the weight you have lost if you do not make healthy lifestyle choices for the rest of your life.

10. Will I have to make changes to my lifestyle after bariatric surgery?

Yes. One of the most important factors in how successful you will be in losing the excess weight and maintaining your ideal weight over the long term is how consistently you make healthy lifestyle choices. For most bariatric patients, this means changing your previous bad habits, which may include eating unnecessary “empty” calories, eating portions that are too large, not getting enough exercise and others.

Learn More About Bariatric Surgery in Sydney

For more information about bariatric surgery or if you have any additional questions that were not included in this list, please contact Advanced Surgicare Clinic today.