Preparing for Bariatric Surgery

Team Approach

Our approach to gastric bypass surgery or lap band surgery is a team approach and a program for life. There are five components in preparation for the surgery including medical, nutritional, psychological, surgical, and support. We evaluate you before surgery and provide education, treatment and support after surgery. Our team provides medical, nutritional, and psychological care, and looks at lifestyle changes following surgery.

Our program for life allows you to participate in support groups before surgery. This group setting will allow you to discuss your concerns and hear from other patients who have gone through gastric bypass surgery or lap band surgery.

Selecting a Procedure

After you have completed the pre-surgery medical, nutritional, and psychological evaluations and have adequate metabolic control, we will discuss the benefits and risks of the different procedures including gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery. Together we will help you choose the most appropriate surgery for you. Next, we schedule a date for your surgery. Learn more about the day of surgery here.

What Can I Do to Prepare?

Gastric bypass surgery and lap band surgery is like other major surgeries. Education will help you prepare by knowing the benefits and risks of surgery.

To help mentally prepare yourself:

Understand the surgical process and what to expect afterward.
Remember that you will not able to eat the way you did before, and that you’ll have to watch the way you eat for the rest of your life.
Talk to people who have had bariatric surgery. Visit the patient support section for more information.
Start a journal and discuss how you feel now, the challenges you face, and goals after surgery. Contact us if you are interested in starting a blog or online journal that will allow you to share your experience with others.
It helps to know you have people behind you. Get support from your family and friends.

Follow the guidelines that your doctor will give you to prepare yourself physically. The guidelines will be based upon the type of surgery, your personal profile, and other factors.