Bariatric Surgery Preparation is more than just scheduling a procedure. It’s a weight loss surgery that completely improves your health and quality of life. To ensure a maximum success rate in your bariatric surgery, you must seek a comprehensive program that sees you as a whole.
Although not mandatory, before getting ready for bariatric surgery, a few recommendations to achieve long-term success.
Do your research before your initial consultation. Being prepared to ask the questions that are important for you is a simple but powerful tool in your preparation for bariatric surgery.
Bariatric surgery helps patients achieve their weight loss goals! Did you know that 98% of diet and exercise attempts fail to lose weight or result in weight regain? This is not because of misconceptions about obesity, people with obesity are NOT lazy, uninterested, unwilling or unaware when it comes to losing weight. Obesity is a disease that drives an imbalanced process through which the body cannot maintain weight loss, due to an inflammatory process.
In this article, we’ll go through the process required to get ready for bariatric surgery, including the practical steps, emotional mindset, and support you need to build a healthier lifestyle.
What is Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery is also known as weight loss surgery. It’s a surgical operation that helps people lose weight by altering the digestive system.
It’s a lifestyle change that you achieve through weight loss surgery. If you’re suffering from obesity-related problems, then bariatric surgery is one of the effective weight loss solutions for you.
Our surgeons only recommend bariatric surgery if you have gone through weight loss methods but failed.
Bariatric surgery modifies your digestive system, usually the stomach and small intestine. It regulates how many calories you consume and absorb.
It’s not just a weight loss procedure but a treatment that prevents many metabolic diseases related to obesity.
But weight loss surgery isn’t an easy process. It needs after lifestyle changes for a better success rate.
10 Steps To Prepare For Weight Loss Surgery
Before entering into any weight loss surgery, always prepare for it with these 10 proven steps for better results.
Bariatric surgery can be a life-altering process. So, always choose weight loss surgeons who genuinely have experience in this journey and care about you.
Always go through these pre-operation weight loss steps before getting into any surgery process. Bariatric surgery preparation is an essential step for better long-term weight loss success.
1. Call us to make an appointment.
The first step is to get in touch with us! We have staff dedicated solely to verifying your insurance benefits and coverage. We guide you through the process without needing to deal with your insurance.
2. Meet your specialist for personalized care.
During the initial visit, your bariatric surgeon will review the highlights, risks and benefits of bariatric surgery and what to expect. Knowing you and your medical history will be part of your plan.
3. Learn about weight loss and tailored diet plans.
Healthy eating habits are essential for weight loss surgery to work well.
Dietary visits will help you understand how to make meal plans that will help you lose and maintain a healthy weight after bariatric surgery.
Your diet habits will change due to the surgery. These changes include:
- Eating smaller meals
- Chewing your food very well
- Drinking enough water throughout the day
- Keeping track of what you eat every day
You should also take specific vitamins or supplements depending on the type of surgery you undergo and your medical needs
The more you can follow your bariatric surgery diet plan, the better results you will see.
4. Get educated on how to exercise better to maximize weight loss.
Getting ready for bariatric surgery means making essential changes to your daily habits.
Exercising at least 3 times weekly, focusing on resistance exercise, will help with long-lasting weight loss and maintenance results. Low-impact exercises prevent joint injuries, which might set you back on your journey.
After surgery, you’ll be encouraged to exercise lightly until you heal, which usually takes about 4 weeks. Afterwards, you can resume lifting weights.
If you don’t usually exercise, don’t worry – simple things count too. You can start by:
- Join a gym
- Trying beginner workout videos on YouTube
- Using free fitness apps
- Taking the stairs
- Hiring a personal trainer
These changes play a huge role after bariatric surgery.
5. Fulfil insurance requirements (don’t worry, we will take you by hand through this)
After you agreed to undergo bariatric surgery, typically, insurance companies have a set of requirements such as
- Completing a certain number of diet visits
- Behavioural health evaluation
- Specific medical testing (blood work, heart evaluation, sleep apnea testing, etc.)
But don’t worry, we’ll help set that up for you!
6. Get medical clearance.
As part of your bariatric surgery preparation, the weight loss specialist first checks to ensure your surgery is safe. More specific testing or specialist evaluations might be required depending on your medical history and profile.
Your doctors will:
- Test how well your heart and lungs are working
- Do blood tests to see if your body has the nutrients it needs and to check your metabolism
- Do tests depending on your health and the kind of surgery you’re having.
All these steps will allow you to undergo safe surgery. Taking time for bariatric surgery preparation helps your care team create the best plan for your health and recovery.
7. Schedule your date of surgery.
After completing your insurance checklist and medical work-up, we will submit a package asking your insurance to cover your surgery. Once we receive confirmation, we will notify you to schedule surgery when you and your bariatric surgeon are available.
8. Undergo pre-surgery anesthesia preparation.
Weight-loss surgery is done while you’re under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be fully asleep during the procedure. Before the surgery date, a separate review will be performed to confirm there is no need for additional medical preparation or workup. After all, we just want to make sure you do well.
For example, taking blood thinners, steroids and other specific medications. Adjustments will need to be made to hold drugs that might affect your outcome. Sometimes switching medications, at least temporarily, is required,
These steps are part of the bariatric pre-op testing requirements that help your team prepare for a safe and smooth surgery.
9. Undergo bariatric surgery.
Your day has come, you have been educated, worked up and optimized for your bariatric surgery. All of the above will help you get a smooth surgery, recovery, and aftercare.
10. Start your new life!.
Congratulations! You made it! Now comes the best part: seeing the benefits of weight loss. Dropping the need to take medications, moving around more easily and without needing to stop to catch your breath. Being able to play with your kids or grandkids. This is the new you!
Learn more about the bariatric surgery journey.
Contact us today for a free insurance benefit check to learn more about the bariatric surgery process..
Your Weight Loss Journey Begins With the First Step
Ready to take the next step? Talk to your bariatric care team today and begin your personalized pre-op weight loss surgery journey.
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