Keyhole surgery has many advantages, including less pain, a
shorter hospital stay, and a quicker recovery. There is also a
reduced risk of wound infection or hernias. If for some reason your
surgeon can not complete the procedure laparoscopically, he can
convert to the open procedure safely. The chance of this occurring
is low, and would only be done in your best interests.
Most patients achieve good to excellent weight loss results
following this surgery; typically this can be 50-60% of excess
weight. Patients lose most of their excess weight in the first year
and can lose more weight over the next 6 to 12 months. Weight
will usually stabilise after this. There can be some weight regain,
but this is usually minor and is very dependent on you following the
post-operative diet and exercise instructions.
The surgery generally takes about 2 hours and then you will spend
some more time in the recovery room as you gently wake up from
the anaesthetic.
There is no amount of weight loss that is guaranteed
5