FAQ's
General
Simply call us at 469-620-0222 during our working hours or you can request an appointment online using this form.
For your initial consultation, you will need to bring a referral letter from your physician if necessary.
Here is check list for your initial consultation
- Driver’s License or a valid ID
- Insurance information
- Referral Letter (if required)
- Reports, X-rays, MRI’s, CT scans etc. and any other relevant information
- List of medications (if any)
We encourage you to come to your initial consultation with a written list of questions to ensure you don’t forget to ask them when you are seeing the doctor.
Your medical file is handled with the utmost respect for your privacy. Our staff is bound by strict confidentiality requirements as a condition of employment regarding your medical records. We will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.
The post-operative recovery period varies based on the surgery. Generally, it is recommended patients take two weeks off work to recover from any surgery and to resume light duty following resumption of work. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow for a successful recovery.
You should wait at least one week before driving after surgery. The effects of anaesthetic and surgery can affect judgment and reflexes during the first week following your surgery. Your surgeon will provide more specifics for your situation.
Your doctor will instruct you about post-treatment exercises – the type and the duration to be followed. You may be referred to a physical therapist to help with strengthening and range of motion exercises following surgery.
There will be a point of contact 24 hours a day for any concerns you may have. You will be provided with contact details following your treatment.
General Surgery
Laparoscopy, also known as keyhole surgery, is a recent advancement in surgical techniques, where small incisions are made to perform the surgery. As opposed to the traditional open surgery, where a large cut is made on your body to clearly view and perform a surgery, laparoscopy is performed through 3 to 5 small incisions. This minimally invasive procedure is possible because of a thin long instrument called a laparoscope, which has a tiny camera and light source attached to its end. The laparoscope is inserted through one of the tiny incisions, and the camera relays images on a large screen, providing a clear view of the operation site to guide your surgeon throughout the surgery. Surgical instruments are then inserted into the other incisions to carry out the surgery.
When compared to open surgery, laparoscopy has the following advantages:
- Shorter hospital stay
- Faster recovery
- Less post-operative pain and bleeding
- Reduced scarring
A hernia is the extension of an organ or fatty tissue through a weak spot in the muscle or connective tissue that surrounds it. It can occur in the groin (inguinal or femoral hernia), belly button (umbilical hernia), upper stomach (hiatal hernia) or at the region of a previous incision (incisional hernia).
All hernias do not require treatment but may be monitored for possible complications. Surgery is recommended when your hernia causes pain and enlarges. It is considered a medical emergency when the organ becomes trapped and strangulated cutting off the blood supply to the tissues.
Gallstones do not form after cholecystectomy as the gallbladder has been removed. However, stones can develop in your bile duct.
The gallbladder is a small pouch that concentrates and stores bile released by the liver between meals. When we eat food, it is released through the bile duct to digest fats in the intestine. When the gallbladder is removed during cholecystectomy, bile drains continuously into the intestine and is less concentrated. This initially affects the digestive process, but the body adjusts to this change and learns to effectively digest fats.
After the removal of the gallbladder, it is important to:
- Eat small, frequent meals
- Avoid high fat content
- Gradually increase the amount of dietary fiber
- Reduce foods that are difficult to digest such as dairy products and caffeinated beverages
The exact cause of GERD is not clear, but there are certain factors that increase your chances of developing the condition. Some of them include:
- Excess alcohol or smoking, poor posture (slouching) or obesity
- Certain blood pressure medications
- Fatty and acidic foods, and caffeinated drinks
- Eating before bedtime and eating large meals
- Related conditions such as obesity, diabetes, pregnancy and hiatal hernia
After laparoscopic Nissen Fundoplication, you will remain in the hospital for 1-2 days. You may have pain, which can be relieved with medication. You will be able to resume your work in about 2 to 3 weeks. Your doctor will give you specific instructions you need to follow about your diet:
- Eat soft foods during recovery
- Eat slowly and chew your food thoroughly
Obesity
Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass.
You just need to find your height and weight and enter our handy BMI calculator.
The resulting number will provide you with your BMI (body mass index).
If your BMI is >35 kg/m2, you are likely to have significant health problems.
However, this is not always true and to a certain extent depends on your age, build and ethnic background.
Obesity is caused by various factors including:
- Genetics
- Sedentary lifestyle
- Environmental factors
- Family history
- Disease conditions
- Medicines
- Emotional factors
- Age
- Major health consequences
- Premature death (shorter life expectancy)
- Obese people have more risk for heart diseases, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers (breast, uterine, colon), breathing difficulties (e.g., sleep apnea, asthma), arthritis, pregnancy complications, gall bladder problems, urinary incontinence, depression and digestive disorders (gastroesophageal reflux disease)
- Risks to psychological and social well-being
- Negative self-image
- Social isolation
- Discrimination
- Difficulties with day-to-day living
- Normal tasks become harder when you are obese
- You tend to tire more quickly and you find yourself short of breath
- Public transport seats and cars may be too small for you
- You may find it difficult to maintain personal hygiene
- Choosing an appropriate surgical option is very important. The decision about the surgery should be made after your surgeon has discussed with you all the risks and benefits of each procedure. Check Weight loss Surgery Options.
- Most insurance companies pay for the weight loss surgery if the surgery is medically necessary. Please check with your health care plan to determine whether you meet their criteria. Access our Free Insurance Check form to check your eligibility. If you do not have insurance, it is best to contact us for information regarding self-pay.
Depending on the exact surgery you have, you will either be discharged home on the same day of surgery or be admitted for one night’s stay in most cases.
Your doctor will prescribe pain medications/injections to help relieve post-operative pain and make you feel comfortable. We do everything possible to minimize pain.
Your dietitian will design the meal plan for you before and after surgery. This helps in faster healing and recovery from surgery.
It is recommended that pregnancy should be avoided at least during the first 18 to 24 months after surgery, and during the active weight loss phase. Consultation with your gynecologist will be helpful if you are considering pregnancy.
Some studies have shown weight loss surgery patients may be at an increased risk for alcohol abuse following certain bariatric procedures. Alcohol also is high in calories and may affect you differently than prior to your surgery. Discuss your concerns about alcohol with your surgeon before undergoing the procedure.
Walking is an excellent exercise that you can begin immediately after your surgery. When you may return to work depends on your occupation and how fast you recover.