Can I drink alcohol?
Alcohol dehydrates the body, and it can therefore cause serious complications if too much is consumed. We recommend that our patients refrain from drinking, or drink no more that 1 unit per day. 1 unit is equivalent to one glass of wine or half a pint of beer. Spirits are strongly discouraged.

How does the surgery affect pregnancy?
Bariatric surgery will reduce the pregnancy problems caused by obesity. During pregnancy the gastric band does not need to be removed; however, we recommend widening the band at this time, so as to meet the nutritional needs of the developing foetus. We also encourage post-bariatric patients to take a nutritional supplement with multivitamins and folic acid.

Pregnancy is not recommended during a gastric balloon treatment.

How soon after the surgery is pregnancy possible?
Medical studies have shown that pregnancy within two years of the surgery can have serious problems; we therefore strongly recommend that our patients wait at least two years.

When can I return to work?
Depending on the type of work, it will be possible to return to work in 10-14 days after surgery. Patients doing heavy manual work will need a longer recovery-time, up to 18 days.

When can I begin an exercise/fitness routine?
Walking and biking is possible 10 days after surgery, unless the scars are not completely healed. Swimming is possible 3 weeks after surgery. Exercise routines are possible 4-6 weeks after surgery.

When do I need a fill?
The gastric band is usually not inflated during the surgical installation; in fact, it is common to lose a significant amount of weight with the unfilled band alone. If a fill is required, it is first performed between six weeks and three months after surgery; the quantity of fill depends on the patient's dietary habits and requirements. The band is generally adjusted to restrict the patient's food intake to a third of what it was before the surgery.

How is a fill done?
The fill is a quick and painless procedure; the surgeon or nurse-practitioner pierces the port through the skin with a fine needle, and injects the appropriate quantity of saline.
Alternatively, the surgeon can choose to adjust the band by X-ray; this permits the surgeon to accurately gauge the size of the fill, as well as the degree of constriction afforded by the inflated band. The patient is asked to swallow liquid barium, which is illuminated by the X-ray; the surgeon then measures the duration of the barium through the band, by which he judges the correct restriction. This technique, which takes only a few minutes, is preferred for fine-tuning of the band.

When is my first fill?
The first fill is generally performed 6 weeks after surgery, unless the patient is still losing weight, with a feeling of satiety after meals. This waiting period is in order to allow the scars and wound area to heal properly; if we find after 6 weeks that the skin is still not fully healed, we will delay the first fill.

How many fills do I need?
Patients will require, on average, four fills in the first year, and two fills in the second year.
However, this number depends on the patient's BMI, as well as dietary and lifestyle habits/

Why does EOC provide its own aftercare?
It is difficult for patients to find affordable aftercare after having surgery abroad; this is why we provide our own. We have a sufficient dedication to our patients to support them long after the surgery; to this end we employ doctors, nurses, dieticians, counsellors and other staff.

What if I don’t feel restricted after my first fill?
During the first 2-3 months it is necessary to fine-tune the patient's gastric-band system; it is quite common for more than one fill to be required. After each fill we recommend a liquid diet for four to five days. If the problem persists, the patient can contact us for a second fill. A minimum of two weeks is allowed between fills.

What if I feel too restricted?
In this case, we will need to remove something from the patient's system. Don’t hesitate to contact us in this event; we have emergency locations for the problem.

Does the fill require an X-ray?
Our policy is to do fills manually, rather than by X-ray.
However, we advise our patients to take a barium X-ray test after one or two years.

What After Care do gastric band patients receive?
Patients are advised to see our doctor and dietician on a regular basis after the surgery; we recommend consultation every three months for two years. We also advise an annual blood test for vitamin B12, zinc and iron.

What After Care do gastric balloon patients receive?
Patients are advised to see our dietician three times in the six months after the procedure.

What After Care do gastric bypass patients receive?
Patients are advised to see our doctor and dietician on a regular basis after the surgery; we recommend consultation every three months for two years. We also advise an annual blood test for vitamin B12, zinc and iron.

What After Care do McLean surgery patients receive?
In the two years after surgery, patients are advised to consult our doctor every six months, and our dietician every four months. We also recommend an annual blood test for vitamin B12, zinc and iron.

Do I need After Care after 2 years?
It is important for all patients to consult our doctor at least once a year; this should be combined with an X-ray and blood test to check the condition of the gastric band or bypass. 40% of gastric band complications occur after 2 years, so long-term aftercare is important.

Do I need to do excercising?

Do I have to take multivitamins?

I have pain at the reservoir after my gastric band surgery, is that normal?

Is it not possible to prevent cosmetic surgery?
With a BMI of 40 and higher is not to prevent to have a tummy tuck or total body lift.
However, this depends on the patient's BMI, age, and dietary and lifestyle (specifically exercise) habits. We provide cosmetic surgery in Amsterdam.

What is the difference between tummy tacks and total body lifts?
The tummy tuck takes skin only from the stomach area, whereas the total body lift also removes skin under the arms, upper legs and back.