In contrast, quickly losing weight—under the supervision of a healthcare provider—can be helpful for people with certain health conditions, like obesity and diabetes.

A piece of a healthy blood vessel from the patient’s leg, arm, or chest will be “harvested” to be used as the bypass. Unless you are undergoing one of the newer procedures (minimally invasive bypass or off-pump or beating-heart surgery), the heart is stopped so the surgeons can work on it. A machine called the heart-lung machine will take over the work of your heart and lungs while the surgeon is operating on the heart.

If your surgeon does not and recommends surgical intervention, ask for a referral to a bariatric surgeon who has experience with these specific procedures.

Likeability. A plan should include foods you like and that you would enjoy eating for life. If you don't like the food on the plan, if the plan is too restrictive or if it becomes boring, you probably won't stick to it. So long-term weight loss is unlikely.

You will be asked to bathe using special antibacterial soap sponges to disinfect your skin. To reduce the risk of vomiting, you will be asked not to eat or drink after midnight the night before surgery.

Laparoscopic surgery has fewer risks than open surgery and may cause less pain and scarring. Recovery may also be faster with laparoscopic surgery.

Consult a mental healthcare provider if you have a history of disordered eating or previous weight loss attempts that have led to feelings of depression, anxiety, anger, loneliness, or other emotions.

Additionally, avoid swapping those foods with so-called "diet" products made with artificial sugars. Those faux sugars can stoke a sweet tooth and inhibit appetite regulation. What you replace these foods with is just as crucial as nixing them.

You will be very sleepy when you arrive in the operating room. The anesthesiologist will insert intravenous tubes and give you additional medication to put you to sleep.

The surgery can take anywhere from 3 to seis hours, depending upon the number of bypasses that are created. When you wake up, you will be in the recovery room or an intensive care unit (ICU). You can expect to stay in the hospital 5 to 7 days. How quickly you recover from surgery will depend in large part upon how healthy you were before the surgery and how well you tolerated the operation.

Health includes both physical and emotional well-being. It is not a worthy trade if a focus on weight loss harms your mental health. Explore why you feel compelled to lose weight and seek support from loved ones who care about you.

Stay informed and inspired! Get the latest research and health tips. Sign up for our newsletter Healthline, and other updates tailored just for you. 

Talk with your healthcare professional if you need help taking charge of stress. Lowering stress can help you make long-term healthy lifestyle changes.

The surgeon will tell you more about fast weight loss with surgery the surgery, including how to prepare for it and what type of follow-up you will need.