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Health Information and Tools >  Bariatric Surgery: Check what you know about bariatric surgery
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Bariatric Surgery

Bariatric Surgery

Check what you know about bariatric surgery

Before you decide to have bariatric surgery, it’s important to understand how the surgery changes your body, how it’s done, and what to expect after the surgery. Answer these questions to find out what you know about bariatric surgery.

1. Obesity is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that needs lifelong treatment. Bariatric surgery is one treatment option for obesity.
 
 
 

Correct!

The correct answer is A. For more information, see About bariatric surgery

2. What are the benefits of having bariatric surgery? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
 
 
 
 
 

Correct! Blood sugar levels and blood pressure are often closer to normal after bariatric surgery.

Incorrect. Even though it's common to lose 1/3 (about 30%) of your starting weight after bariatric surgery, it’s unlikely you’ll reach a normal BMI. For more information, see What changes to expect after surgery.

Correct! It’s often easier to breathe after bariatric surgery.

Correct! It may be easier to move and be more active after bariatric surgery.

Correct! Heart disease and the risk of some cancers can decrease after bariatric surgery.

3. After bariatric surgery, I’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of my life.
 
 
 

Correct! You’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life. These include having healthy eating habits, taking vitamin and mineral supplements, and making time for physical activity each day. For more information, see After your surgery and Eating well after bariatric surgery.

Incorrect. After bariatric surgery you’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life. To learn about these lifestyle changes, see After your surgery and Eating well after bariatric surgery.

After bariatric surgery you’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life. To learn about these lifestyle changes, see After your surgery and Eating well after bariatric surgery.

4. If I smoke, I’ll need to quit before I have bariatric surgery. And I can’t smoke after the surgery. If I don’t stop smoking, I won’t be able to have bariatric surgery.
 
 
 

Correct! Smoking can cause problems (complications) before and after bariatric surgery. For information about quitting smoking, visit AlbertaQuits.

Incorrect. Smoking can cause problems (complications) before and after bariatric surgery. For information about quitting smoking, visit AlbertaQuits.

Smoking can cause problems (complications) before and after bariatric surgery. For information about quitting smoking, visit AlbertaQuits.

5. How will my life change after bariatric surgery? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
 
 
 
 

Correct! After bariatric surgery, you’ll need to eat smaller amounts (portions), not drink with meals and snacks, and avoid foods with sticky, gummy, stringy, or tough textures. For more information, see Eating well after bariatric surgery.

Correct! After bariatric surgery you’ll need to see your doctor regularly. For more information about follow-up after bariatric surgery, see Follow-up care.

Correct! For more information on physical activity, see After your surgery.

Correct! For more information on taking medicine after bariatric surgery, see After your surgery.

6. If I want to have children, what do I need to think about before I decide to have bariatric surgery or after I have bariatric surgery? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
 
 
 

Correct! For more information, see Body changes and pregnancy.


You can print out the answers to this quiz if you want to look at it later.​​​​​​​​​

Current as of: October 20, 2021
Author: Primary Health Care – Integration and Innovation, Alberta Health Services

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This material is not a substitute for the advice of a qualified health professional. This material is intended for general information only and is provided on an "as is", "where is" basis. Although reasonable efforts were made to confirm the accuracy of the information, Alberta Health Services does not make any representation or warranty, express, implied or statutory, as to the accuracy, reliability, completeness, applicability or fitness for a particular purpose of such information. Alberta Health Services expressly disclaims all liability for the use of these materials, and for any claims, actions, demands or suits arising from such use.

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Check what you know about bariatric surgery

Before you decide to have bariatric surgery, it’s important to understand how the surgery changes your body, how it’s done, and what to expect after the surgery. Answer these questions to find out what you know about bariatric surgery.

1. Obesity is a long-lasting (chronic) disease that needs lifelong treatment. Bariatric surgery is one treatment option for obesity.
 
 
 

Correct!

The correct answer is A. For more information, see About bariatric surgery

2. What are the benefits of having bariatric surgery? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
 
 
 
 
 

Correct! Blood sugar levels and blood pressure are often closer to normal after bariatric surgery.

Incorrect. Even though it's common to lose 1/3 (about 30%) of your starting weight after bariatric surgery, it’s unlikely you’ll reach a normal BMI. For more information, see What changes to expect after surgery.

Correct! It’s often easier to breathe after bariatric surgery.

Correct! It may be easier to move and be more active after bariatric surgery.

Correct! Heart disease and the risk of some cancers can decrease after bariatric surgery.

3. After bariatric surgery, I’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of my life.
 
 
 

Correct! You’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life. These include having healthy eating habits, taking vitamin and mineral supplements, and making time for physical activity each day. For more information, see After your surgery and Eating well after bariatric surgery.

Incorrect. After bariatric surgery you’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life. To learn about these lifestyle changes, see After your surgery and Eating well after bariatric surgery.

After bariatric surgery you’ll need to make lifestyle changes that last the rest of your life. To learn about these lifestyle changes, see After your surgery and Eating well after bariatric surgery.

4. If I smoke, I’ll need to quit before I have bariatric surgery. And I can’t smoke after the surgery. If I don’t stop smoking, I won’t be able to have bariatric surgery.
 
 
 

Correct! Smoking can cause problems (complications) before and after bariatric surgery. For information about quitting smoking, visit AlbertaQuits.

Incorrect. Smoking can cause problems (complications) before and after bariatric surgery. For information about quitting smoking, visit AlbertaQuits.

Smoking can cause problems (complications) before and after bariatric surgery. For information about quitting smoking, visit AlbertaQuits.

5. How will my life change after bariatric surgery? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
 
 
 
 

Correct! After bariatric surgery, you’ll need to eat smaller amounts (portions), not drink with meals and snacks, and avoid foods with sticky, gummy, stringy, or tough textures. For more information, see Eating well after bariatric surgery.

Correct! After bariatric surgery you’ll need to see your doctor regularly. For more information about follow-up after bariatric surgery, see Follow-up care.

Correct! For more information on physical activity, see After your surgery.

Correct! For more information on taking medicine after bariatric surgery, see After your surgery.

6. If I want to have children, what do I need to think about before I decide to have bariatric surgery or after I have bariatric surgery? (There may be more than one correct answer.)
 
 
 

Correct! For more information, see Body changes and pregnancy.


You can print out the answers to this quiz if you want to look at it later.​​​​​​​​​