Preparing for Surgery
In the months leading up to surgery, there are key steps you will take to make sure you are ready for surgery. The bariatric team will help you walk through each step.
Routine evaluation for weight loss surgery will include meeting with a dietitian and a psychologist, and participating in a structured exercise program. Upon request, we can refer you to an exercise physiologist who is familiar with our bariatric program.
Providing Your Information
Documentation is a crucial part of your weight loss surgery. Having your medical history will help your physician and surgeon prepare a medical care plan specific to your needs. This information, combined with a record of your past attempts at weight loss, likely will be requested by your insurance company prior to approving your surgery.
When you complete the Information Session you will complete a patient information form. After we have your medical history, a member of our staff will contact you to schedule your first appointment.
Your First Appointment
For your first presurgery appointment, you should be prepared to discuss the following information with one of the bariatric surgeons and our staff:
Blood Work
Blood drawn during this visit will include:
- comprehensive chemistry
- complete blood count (CBC)
- vitamin B12, folate, iron, zinc, thiamine, magnesium and vitamin D
- thyroid levels
- cholesterol levels
-
parathyroid hormone level
-
hemoglobin A1C
-
helicobacter pylori antibody
-
pre-albumin
-
methylmelonic acid levels
Additional Tests
Based on your medical history, additional testing could be ordered such as:
- Endoscopy
- Gallbladder ultrasound
- Sleep studies
- Cardiac evaluation
Nutrition Evaluation
This required step is one of the most beneficial in your success. You will attend a group class for bariatric candidates and a one-on-one nutrition evaluation with our expert dietitian. You will also see our dietitian at your scheduled doctor’s follow-up appointments.
Exercise Trainer
Surgery alone is not a cure for obesity. You will need to be involved in a structured exercise program to achieve the results you desire. Our patient navigator can help you arrange a consultation visit with an exercise physiologist or trainer who will advise you on various flexibility and strengthening exercises that have been specifically designed for a bariatric patient. If you are not involved in an organized exercise program during rapid weight loss, you will lose about 12 percent of your lean body mass (the good weight). If you are involved in a structured program, you will only lose about 4 percent of your lean body mass.
Psychological Evaluation
Weight reduction surgery is often more stressful than people expect. Not only are there the physical changes associated with your surgery, there are also social and emotional changes. People are at highest risk when they are not psychologically prepared for the lifestyle changes they have to make. The psychologist will discuss recommendations after the evaluation. Our goal is to make sure you are ready to cope with the many changes that go along with weight loss surgery.
Surgery Approval
During your initial consultation, we will make a decision about your surgery. Due to concerns regarding patient safety and appropriateness, some patients are not good candidates for weight reduction surgery.
Once documentation required by your insurance company is completed, we will submit it for proper authorization for your insurance coverage.
Once we have received approval from your insurance, our patient navigator will contact you to schedule your surgery date. You will be required to start a very low-calorie diet two weeks prior to surgery. This will be discussed at your preoperative visit.
Surgery Orientation
Once your preoperative work-up has been completed and you are approved for surgery, you will come to the office for another visit with the physician assistant. A representative of Atrium Health Floyd will also contact you to schedule an appointment to go to Atrium Health Floyd Medical Center to complete your anesthesia evaluation and receive further education regarding your surgery care.
The goal for these appointments is to decrease stress and make your hospital visit go as smoothly as possible.