Frequently Asked Questions

There is no standard weight over which you become a suitable candidate for surgery. This is because the taller you are, the more weight you can safely carry. To allow for this, we use a formula known as the Body Mass Index, or BMI for short.

Calculating your Body Mass Index
BMI is calculated by taking your weight in kilograms divided by your height in metres.
The answer should then be divided a second time by your height in metres.
For example:
A100kg person who is 1.7 metres tall would have a BMI of 100/1.7 = 58.8/1.7 = BMI 34.6
If you are unsure about calculating your BMI, but are concerned that you are seriously overweight, call us on 1800 932 912 and we will calculate your BMI for you.

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Gastric band patients are usually able to drive within 5 days of their surgery. Bypass and switch patients should be fit to drive within two weeks. Patients should satisfy themselves that they are able to safely perform an emergency stop. You may need to consult your insurance company to check your cover.

Generally gastric band patients will spend one night in hospital, patients having a bypass or switch will spend 3 or 4 nights on the ward.

It varies depending on two main factors; which operation you had and what your job is. People who have had a gastric band can usually return within 10 days. Obviously people with manual or physical jobs will need longer to recover and can expect to return within 2-4 weeks.

Is it carried out locally?

Gravitas perform all their procedures at local hospitals, with local surgeons. In Northern Ireland we perform the procedures at the Ulster Independent Clinic in Belfast and follow up is at the Fitzwilliam Clinic, also in Belfast.

All Gravitas Ireland patients are given a telephone helpline support number on discharge from the hospital. Regular follow up and support is an essential part of your aftercare. We run a regular support group for all of our patients to attend.

With all operations, we provide a tailored graduated eating plan, starting with pureed food and returning to normal texture foods over a period of weeks. Our dietitian and/or our specialist nurse will see you before you are discharged home.

There is no upper age limit for weight loss surgery. Suitability depends on a number of factors including medical fitness, but not chronological age.

All of our operations are done laparoscopically (keyhole). Patients will have 5-6 scars about 1-2cms long. These wounds will be closed with staples which will be removed after 10 days. After about 12-18 months these have generally faded and are hardly noticeable.

We want you to return to having a full and enjoyable lifestyle after your operation. We would advise a gradual return to drinking alcohol post operatively, and to be aware of the increased effects of alcohol post operatively.

We take the prevention of blood clots (PE and DVT) very seriously. We prescribe a daily dose of fragmin or clexane which you can administer in a small injection yourself, or ask a relative or friend to do for you. We will show you how to do this in hospital. You will need the injections for 7 days if you have a band and 21 days if you have a bypass or switch.

We ask all patients to follow a pre-operative diet for at least two weeks. The primary purpose of this is to reduce the size of the liver and make access during your operation easier. The general principles of this diet are low carbohydrate and low fat. You will be given guidance and a diet sheet to help you.