After Weight-Loss Surgery • Darien & Bolingbrook, IL

Your Bariatric Surgery Follow-Up Schedule

Every visit before and after surgery, in order — when it happens, whether it's virtual or in person, and exactly what we cover. Your week 1 and yearly visits are at the office.

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2,400+ procedures• 15+ years experience• MBSAQIP accredited
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Six visits in year one

One before surgery, then week 1, week 6, month 3, month 6 and year 1 — then once a year after that.

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Three visits are in person

Your week 1 check plus your year 1 and every yearly visit after are at the office. The rest can be virtual.

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Bloodwork twice

Bariatric bloodwork is ordered at month 6 and again at year 1 to check your nutrition.

Pre-Op Week 1 Week 6 Month 3 Month 6 Year 1 Every Year After
The Schedule

Every visit, in order

Laid out chronologically — nothing hidden behind a click.

  1. Pre

    Pre-operative visit

    Before surgery Usually virtual

    We review your application together along with the results of all your preparatory diagnostic work. Then we walk through the timeline to your surgery date: the pre-operative diet, what happens during the operation itself, and what your first days recovering in hospital will look like.

    It's also the right moment to raise anything still unanswered, so you go in fully informed. This visit is usually virtual, or in person if you'd rather.

  2. W1

    Week 1 after surgery

    Within one week In person

    Your first post-operative check happens at the office. Dr. El Djouzi inspects your incisions, confirms your liquid diet is going down properly, and checks you're walking and keeping up with your deep-breathing exercises. He'll also confirm any abdominal incisional pain has settled.

    The purpose is straightforward: make sure you're ready for the next phase of recovery.

  3. W6

    Week 6 after surgery

    Six weeks Virtual, or in person on request

    This one is a turning point. You transition to a solid diet, you can stop crushing your pills before taking them, and you're cleared to start disciplined workouts at the gym.

    We review how your weight loss is progressing and confirm you're ready to move to the next stage.

  4. M3

    Month 3 after surgery

    Three months

    By three months, most patients have lost a significant amount of weight and are seeing underlying conditions improve — sleep apnea, high blood pressure and diabetes among them.

    We review what you've achieved so far, work through any plateau or setback, and check how you're adapting to your new routine.

  5. M6

    Month 6 after surgery

    Six months First bloodwork

    Around six months, most patients report a real surge in energy alongside continued weight reduction. We track your trajectory and how far your obesity-related conditions have improved or resolved.

    This is also when we order your first post-operative bariatric bloodwork — an important check on your nutritional status.

  6. Y1

    Year 1 after surgery

    Twelve months In person Bloodwork repeated

    At twelve months we look at whether you've reached your goal or are still working toward it. It's a good moment to plan around major life changes — growing your family, relocating — and to get focused help if your loss has been slower or has plateaued more than once.

    Bariatric bloodwork is repeated here to confirm your nutrition and overall health are holding up.

  7. Y2+

    Once a year, ongoing

    Every year after In person

    Accountability is what makes significant weight loss stick. We strongly recommend staying on an annual visit with Dr. El Djouzi and the team.

    It keeps you connected to your support system, gives you somewhere to bring challenges as they come up, and lets us keep refining how you maintain your results long term.

Outside The Schedule

Need a visit that isn't on this list?

Some concerns can't be settled properly over office messaging or email. If something specific comes up, you can arrange an extra follow-up with Dr. El Djouzi.

Virtual is easiest and what we usually suggest, but we'll see you in the office if that works better for you. The point is to deal with the concern fully so you can carry on without it hanging over you.

We're Here Between Visits Too

Questions before your next appointment?

Your recovery instructions cover medications, diet stages and the symptoms that mean you should call us.

Recovery Instructions Contact the Office

Already had surgery elsewhere? Dr. El Djouzi also sees patients for revision surgery.