There are several types of weight loss surgery that are designed to help you lose weight by reducing your food intake. With gastric bypass surgery, your stomach is reduced and a portion of your small intestine is bypassed. Lap-Band surgery places an adjustable silicone belt around the upper part of your stomach. Gastric sleeve surgery removes 85 percent of your stomach. Whichever weight loss surgery you choose, you must prepare for your surgery to help have the best recovery and outcome.
Consultation Appointment
Step 1
Make a list of all prescription medications, over-the-counter medications and any supplements you take. Include any allergic reactions that you have had when taking any drugs or supplements.
Step 2
List all of your diet attempts in the past and how much weight you may have lost and how much you regained after.
Step 3
Write a detailed medical history, including all surgical procedures. Include complications, if any, with your past surgeries.
Step 4
Provide a list of foods you like or dislike and your current eating habits.
Step 5
Give all of this information to the surgeon during your surgery consultation.
Four Weeks Before Surgery
Step 1
Stop or adjust any prescription medications, over-the-counter medication and supplements as requested by your surgeon. Some medications could negatively affect your surgery and recovery.
Step 2
Start adjusting your diet to include post-operative foods and phase out any unapproved foods. The National Naval Medical Center of Bethesda, Maryland, states you should prepare for successful weight loss by drinking 64 ounces of water daily, and start a food diary detailing everything you eat during the day to create a habit of listing your food. The medical center also suggests that you remove all caffeinated beverages from your diet.
Step 3
Stop smoking as smoking can slow down your post-operative healing and could lead to pneumonia. You risk having your surgery postponed if you continue to smoke.
Step 4
Start your pre-operative diet two weeks before surgery. Follow the instructions of your surgeon and add any pre-operative supplements. Decrease the amount of high sugar and high carbohydrate foods. You also need to decrease fats, fried foods, whole milk and whole milk products along with alcohol. Start a walking program if you are able.
One Day Before Surgery
Step 1
Obtain any post-operative medicines as prescribed by your surgeon.
Step 2
Pack any paperwork and any personal items you may need on the day of surgery.
Step 3
Arrange for someone to transport you from the surgical facility and bring you home. Depending on the type of weight loss surgery you choose, your hospital stay will vary from leaving the same day or staying in the facility up to three days. Gastric bypass surgery requires a stay of two to three days; gastric sleeve surgery requires a stay or one to two days while Lap-Band surgery is done as outpatient.
References
- Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery: Weight Loss Surgery Preparation
- National Naval Medical Center: Nutrition Guidelines for Sleeve Gastrectomy
- Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery: Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery: Lap-Band Surgery
- Consumer Guide to Bariatric Surgery: Gastric Sleeve Surgery
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