Life after weight loss surgery: 5 things you might not expect

You may have heard of weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. Research shows that these procedures are effective for weight loss. They can also improve and even reverse certain obesity-related conditions, like diabetes and heart disease.

If you’re thinking of having weight-loss surgery, it’s important to first find out if your insurance covers these procedures. They can be very expensive. Private insurance companies generally consider them to be medically necessary, and may cover them. For those who meet their criteria, Medicare covers some bariatric surgical procedures. Medicaid varies by state.

Bariatric surgery is a major procedure. After surgery, patients may experience pain or discomfort as the body heals, and they should expect to follow a new eating plan for the rest of their lives.

“Much of any good bariatric surgical program is aimed toward making certain patients know what they need to know about surgery," says Steven Webb, MD, a bariatric surgeon in Jacksonville, Florida. With that in mind, here’s what to expect after surgery, including some side effects that may surprise you.