Steps Towards Weight Loss Surgery
April 6, 2008 by Terry
Filed under Weight Loss Surgery
Weight loss surgery is not a decision we want to make without understanding what it is and what we are getting in to. This is a decision that each of us must carefully make for ourself.
Is weight loss surgery right for you?
This is a decision each of us must carefully make. There are several steps that each of us will take as we determine if bariatric surgery is the right choice at this time.
Following is an outline of the steps required by a well-qualified bariatric center. To these steps there are additional steps that may be required on an individual basis or by your insurance carrier. Please note that these steps are my personal summary that I have outlined to assist me in understanding them better. You need to follow the steps of your own medical professional and surgical team.
Steps Towards Weight Losss Surgery
1. Attend informational seminar.
2. Confirm your insurance coverage for weight loss surgery.
3. Complete and submit an extensive application to the Bariatric Center.
4. Lifestyle Visits
a. Evaluation with Bariatric Surgeon
i.Review personal history and health status.
ii.Discuss the amount of pre surgery weight loss required.
iii.Discuss the importance of support from family and friends.
iv.Discuss the necessary tests that will be done prior to surgery.
v.Discuss the types of weight loss surgery and their risks.
vi.Discuss the requirements for compliance of the bariatric surgery guidelines and the commitment to follow them.
b. Visit with Nurse Case Manager
i.Review of necessary steps leading to surgery.
ii.Discuss and receive answers to any question.
iii.Preoperative teaching session and review of education book.
c. Evaluation with Psychologist
i.Thorough psychological evaluation.
ii.Discuss the impact of the necessary lifestyle changes.
iii.If needed a course of therapy will be recommended.
iv.Discuss and receive a list of community resources for support.
d. Evaluation with Bariatric Dietician
i.Review your usual eating patterns.
ii.Review the impact of surgery on food intake and absorption of nutrients.
iii.Bariatric nutritional guidelines before and after surgery.
iv.Discuss a reduced calorie diet if required to lose weight prior to surgery.
e. Evaluation with physical therapist
i.Evaluation and design of a structured activity and fitness program.
ii.Discussion of educational resources to increase knowledge of the beneficial effects of activity and exercise.
iii.Review activity log.
iv.Review breathing, stretching and strengthening exercises.
f. Extended dietary program if required by the insurance company.
5. Review Committee: Once the above has been completed a multidisciplinary team will meet to review the evaluations and assess readiness for surgery.
6. Preoperative Nutrition Classes: Attend group nutrition classes in preparation for how to eat after surgery.
7. Insurance Approval and Pre-authorization: Once approved by the review committee and all necessary insurance requirements have been complete a case manager will work with the insurance company for approval.
8. Preoperative Appointment: Once approved by the insurance company a preoperative appointment will be scheduled with the surgeon and a surgery date assigned.
a. Meeting with Anesthesiologist
i.Review of your past anesthesia experience and sedatives.
ii.Receive advice of anesthesia and sedatives.
iii.Examination of airway.
iv.Discussion of medications to be taken prior to surgery.
9. Preadmission Testing (PAT): One week prior to surgery a preadmission screening will be performed.
a. Meet with anesthesiologist and a nurse.
b. Have any necessary lab work performed.
c. Receive and discuss information regarding hospital stay.
Preparing for Surgery
1. Follow the surgeon’s advice as to which medications to continue. If advised to stop certain medications you will be told which ones and when you should stop taking them.
2. Smoking: If you are a smoker you are required to stop smoking prior to surgery and are strongly advised against restarting at any time in the future following surgery.
3. Start to practice new habits.
a. Journaling: Become aware of and keep a written record of habitual patterns as well as the reasons behind your eating. Pay close attention to situation (other than hunger) that trigger you to eat and not these in your journal.
4. Begin or Continue Physical Activity
a. Engage in activities to improve overall mobility, flexibility, muscle strength and endurance. Conditioning improves surgery outcome including health, recovery and feeling and reduces complications.
5. Begin the Practice of Healthful Eating Habits
6. Review All Educational Materials to assist in the learning of the permanent life style changes to be made.
7. Practice Deep Breathing: The practice of deep breathing for 5 minutes each morning and each evening helps with the recovery from surgery.
8. Preoperative Weight Loss: For those of us that are “apple shaped” losing weight prior to surgery makes the surgery easier to perform resulting in a better outcome.
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Check out what others are saying about this post...[...] During consultation I was informed that the soonest the surgery could be performed would be about June. The doctor informed me that between now and surgery I would be required to demonstrate my willingness to exercise and loose weight and fulfill a number of other requirements. He informed me that bariatric surgery is not an automatic approval for it comes with some risk and requires a lifelong commitment for it to be successful. Click here if you are interested in seeing the steps to be taken. [...]