Surgical Questions Birmingham Patients Ask the Most
Surgery in any form raises questions. And when those questions go unanswered, they have a way of turning into anxiety, hesitation, and delayed decisions that don’t always serve your health. We’ve gathered the questions patients ask most often and answered them honestly.
Take your time, read through what’s relevant to you, and know if something isn’t covered here, our team is always just a phone call away.
Questions We’re Often Asked About Our Surgical Practice
New to BMI and not sure where to start? These are the basics; the questions patients ask before they’ve even scheduled their first appointment.
Apart from insurance information, please bring the following:
- All pertinent X-ray reports and test results from your primary care or referring physician
- All required co-pays and payment for any outstanding balances with our practice
- A list of all medications that you’re currently taking
- A list of any known drug allergies and the symptoms you may have from taking these medications
- If you have had surgery elsewhere, please bring a copy of your operation report
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. Ordinarily, we will not release the contents of your medical file without your consent.
Yes. There is however a $25 charge to do so and this will be due at the time the form is filled out.
No, it’s not necessary to have a physician referral to make an appointment with our office.
During your initial visit, the doctor will perform a history and physical examination as well as review your previous medical records. Tests will be ordered for the surgeon to decide what your diagnosis and appropriate treatment will be.
Although complications are rare, all surgeries, especially those that involve anesthesia, carry some risks. Dr. Long will outline these for you based on the specific procedure.
Most Common Questions About Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is a big decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. These are the questions patients ask most often.
Obesity results from the excess accumulation of fat that exceeds the body’s skeletal and physical standards. According to the American Obesity Association, Obesity is a disease.
Morbid obesity is typically defined as being 100 lbs or more over ideal body weight, or having a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or higher. Morbid obesity reaches a point of significantly increasing the risk of co-morbidities that result in either significant physical disability or even death. Morbid Obesity is a serious and chronic disease. Treatment is available, and surgery is an extremely viable option for you.
- Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass: $15,999
- Gastric Sleeve: $8,999
- LAP-BAND®: $19,999
- Remove Gastric Band and convert to Gastric Sleeve: $10,999
- Remove Gastric Band and convert to Gastric Bypass: $16,999
Most health insurance companies will cover most of this surgical procedure. However, there are so many plans that it is best to contact us and to schedule an appointment.
Like every operation, there is a risk. Because our patients already have health-related problems, there is an increased risk of complications. However, our team makes sure they thoroughly screen you to make sure that there are no surprises on the operating table.
If we feel that it is not safe to operate on you, we will not proceed. However we will gladly work with you in order for you to be eligible for the operation. Your team will be behind you 100% before, during, and after the surgery.
No matter if you’re private pay or paying with insurance, every patient is required to attend an online nutrition/prep class that is led by our bariatric coordinator and bariatric nutritionist.
The bariatric coordinator had gastric bypass surgery herself, so she’s very familiar with the process, along with the emotions that go along with it. Here, they’ll address all your questions and concerns while giving you information on pre-op nutrition, post-op nutrition, and everything else you’ll need to know about the surgery, including mental preparations.
Read more here.
The average stay of our patients depends on the surgical procedure. Most patients that undergo LAP-BAND® placement will go home the day of surgery. Patients that undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass usually go home on the second day after the operation.
For patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy, patients will typically stay overnight in the hospital after surgery.
Most patients can go back to work one week after surgery. Some patients have gone back to work as early as three days after surgery. The only restriction when you return to work is no lifting more than ten pounds for four weeks from the day of your surgery.
We strongly recommend that you not get pregnant for the first 18-24 months after your surgery. Most of the excess weight is lost during this time, and your fetus’ health may be endangered.
We prefer for you not to drink alcohol after surgery, especially because of the excess calories.
Many of our patients opt for plastic surgery, but we recommend you wait until your weight loss has “plateaued” or stopped before undergoing plastic surgery.
We strongly recommend you exercise after your operation to help you lose the weight the fastest. Feel free to take some light, brisk walks when you return home. You can start low-impact exercise one week after surgery, but don’t lift greater than 10 pounds for four weeks. After four weeks, you can exercise without restrictions.
Yes. Your body needs to receive the proper vitamins in order to survive. The nutritional supplements that you need to take after surgery will be discussed in the nutrition/prep class just before your procedure.
The diet after the operation will be discussed in the nutrition/prep class just before surgery. Also, you will follow up with a nutritionist 4 weeks after surgery to make sure you are eating properly.
For patients that undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass, most of the weight loss occurs in the first six months, and the weight loss usually stops after one year. For patients that undergo laparoscopic adjustable gastric banding, they will typically lose 4-5 pounds per month, and the weight loss usually stops after 18-24 months.
This surgery is a tool to help you lose weight, and exercise and diet will help you achieve your ideal body weight. We even have had patients reach a size zero! Our team will be with you 100% to support you after the operation.
Individual results may vary.
The gastric bypass is considered non-reversible. The adjustable gastric band is reversible, but if it is removed, patients will typically gain all of the weight back and then some.
The sleeve gastrectomy is not reversible since 80% of the stomach is removed.
In our local area, we have support groups set up that are specific to gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band. The support groups are run by our bariatric coordinator, and our bariatric team is also readily available by phone or email.
General Surgery FAQs
A general surgery diagnosis can feel overwhelming. These answers give you a clearer picture of what to expect.
BMI treats a wide range of general surgery conditions using minimally invasive techniques, including:
- Appendicitis
- Breast conditions
- Cancer
- Gallbladder disease
- Endocrine conditions
- Esophageal conditions
- Hemorrhoids
- Hernias
- Acid reflux
If you have a condition that isn’t listed here, reach out to our team. We’re happy to talk through your situation and point you in the right direction.
Minimally invasive surgery, also called laparoscopic surgery, is an approach to performing surgical procedures through several very small incisions rather than one large opening. During the procedure, the surgeon inserts a tiny camera called a laparoscope along with specialized surgical instruments through those small entry points.
The camera sends a magnified, real-time image to a monitor in the operating room, giving the surgeon a detailed view of the area being treated without the need to open the body in the traditional sense.
The result is a procedure that accomplishes the same surgical goals as open surgery, but with significantly less trauma to the surrounding tissue. That difference matters a lot when it comes to how you feel afterward, how quickly you heal, and how soon you can get back to your normal life.
The core difference comes down to incision size. In traditional open surgery, the surgeon makes one large incision to access the area being treated, which involves cutting through multiple layers of tissue. In minimally invasive surgery, the same procedure is performed through several small incisions, typically less than an inch each.
Open surgery is still the right choice in certain complex cases, and Dr. Long will always recommend the approach that’s safest and most appropriate for your specific situation.
For the majority of general surgery procedures performed at BMI, the answer is no. We specialize in outpatient and minimally invasive surgery, which means most patients are discharged and home the same day as their procedure. That’s one of the significant advantages of the minimally invasive approach.
That said, every patient and every procedure is different. Factors like the complexity of your surgery, overall health, and how your body responds coming out of anesthesia can all influence whether an overnight stay is recommended. Dr. Long will walk you through exactly what to expect for your specific procedure well before your surgery date, so there aren’t any surprises on the day.
The first 24 hours after surgery are usually the most uncomfortable, and it’s completely normal to feel groggy, sore, and fatigued as the anesthesia works its way out of your system. Most patients find that discomfort is manageable with prescribed pain medication and is noticeably improving by the second or third day.
A general picture of what recovery often looks like:
- Day of Surgery: You’ll spend time in a recovery area while the anesthesia wears off. A responsible adult is needed to drive you home and stay with you for the first night. Nausea is common and resolves within a few hours.
- Days 1-3: Rest is the priority. You might experience soreness around the incision sites, mild bloating, and fatigue. Light movement around the house is encouraged, but take it easy.
- Days 4-7: Most patients start feeling more like themselves. Discomfort decreases noticeably, and light daily activity becomes more manageable.
- Week 2 and Beyond: Depending on your procedure, many patients are cleared to return to desk work and light activity within one to two weeks.
You’ll receive detailed post-operative instructions specific to your procedure before you leave our care.
Absolutely, in fact, we encourage it. Having someone with you on the day of surgery makes the whole experience less stressful, and it’s a practical necessity for getting home safely afterward. Because anesthesia affects your reflexes, concentration, and judgment for at least 24 hours, you won’t be able to drive yourself home under any circumstances.
Beyond transportation, having a trusted person with you means someone can hear and retain the post-operative instructions our team provides.
Recovery timelines vary depending on the type of procedure, the surgical approach used, and the individual patient. However, minimally invasive surgery consistently produces faster recoveries than traditional open techniques.
An urgent general surgery procedure is one that needs to happen quickly — sometimes within hours — because the condition poses an immediate risk to your health. Appendicitis is a good example: a ruptured or rupturing appendix can become life-threatening quickly, so surgery isn’t something that can wait days or weeks.
A non-urgent procedure is one that’s medically necessary but not immediately time-critical. Gallbladder removal for recurring gallstone symptoms, elective hernia repair, and hemorrhoid surgery are typical examples. These procedures are scheduled in advance, giving you time to prepare.
If you’re unsure which category your condition falls into, the safest thing to do is call us. Our team can help you figure out how quickly you need to be seen and what the appropriate next step looks like.
Your Weight Loss Injection Questions, Answered
GLP-1 medications come with a lot of unanswered questions. Here’s what you actually need to know.
These three names get used interchangeably, but they’re not the same thing. All three belong to a class of medications called GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by mimicking hormones your body naturally produces after eating. Here’s where they differ:
- Ozempic contains semaglutide and is FDA-approved for managing blood sugar in adults with type 2 diabetes. Weight loss is a secondary effect, not its primary purpose.
- Wegovy contains the same active ingredients as Ozempic but at a higher dose. It’s also FDA-approved specifically for chronic weight management in adults with obesity or those who are overweight with at least one weight-related health condition.
- Mounjaro contains a different ingredient called tirzepatide, which activates two hormonal pathways instead of one, making it more potent for weight loss than semaglutide-based options.
At BMI, we’ll help you figure out which option aligns with your health profile and weight loss goals.
GLP-1 medications aren’t prescribed to everyone who wants to lose weight. Generally speaking, you may be a candidate if:
- Your BMI is 30 or higher
- Your BMI is 27 or higher and you have at least one weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or sleep apnea
- You haven’t achieved sufficient results through diet and exercise alone
- You don’t have a personal or family history of medullary thyroid carcinoma or a condition called Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia syndrome
- You are not pregnant or planning to become pregnant in the near term
It’s also worth knowing that these medications work best as part of a broader lifestyle approach, not as a standalone solution. The strongest results consistently come when injections are paired with healthy nutrition and regular movement. If you’re not sure whether you qualify, a consultation with our team is the best place to start.
For most patients, GLP-1 medications have shown acceptable safety profiles over extended use, with gastrointestinal side effects being the most commonly reported issue.
- Results require continued use. When patients stop taking GLP-1 medications, a significant portion of the weight lost tends to return.
As with any long-term medication, staying in regular contact with your prescribing provider is important. At BMI, we monitor your progress throughout and adjust your plan as needed so you’re never navigating this on your own.
Results vary depending on the medication, dosage, your starting point, and how consistently you pair the injections with healthy lifestyle habits. Weight loss injections can be a genuinely effective tool for the right patient, but they work best when you approach them as part of your comprehensive plan, not a quick fix. Our team at BMI will help you set realistic expectations and build a program around the medication so you’re giving yourself the best possible chance at lasting results.
Most side effects are gastrointestinal and tend to be most noticeable in the early weeks of treatment or after a dose increase. They usually become more manageable as your body adjusts. Common side effects include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Constipation and bloating
- Fatigue and headaches
- Injection site reactions such as mild redness or swelling
Less common but more serious risks include pancreatitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney issues related to dehydration. If you experience severe or persistent symptoms, reach out to our team. We’ll assist you through the adjustment period, not just hand you a prescription and send you on your way.
There’s no rule that says you have to try injections before pursuing surgery, and for patients with a higher BMI or serious obesity-related health conditions, surgery may actually be the more appropriate conversation from the start. The right path depends entirely on your individual health profile, goals, and what kind of long-term commitment works for your life.
Weight loss injections are a strong option for patients who aren’t surgical candidates, prefer a non-surgical approach, or are earlier in their weight loss journey. Surgery tends to produce more significant and more durable results, particularly for patients with a BMI above 40, and it doesn’t require ongoing medication to maintain those results.
At BMI Surgery, we offer both, and that means we have no reason to steer you toward one over the other. We’ll look at your full picture and give you an honest recommendation based on what’s actually going to work best for you.
The Last Question is Always the Same: What Do I Do Next?
And the answer is simpler than you might think. You call us, come in for a consultation, and talk to an expert who can determine next steps. When you’re ready to move from researching to doing something about your condition, BMI Surgery is right here. Reach out to us today to get started.
