Tips to Follow Before and After Bariatric Surgery

People with BMI (body mass index) of over 30 and up are often in the position where the only way to successful weight loss is bariatric surgery. The advances of bariatric surgical technology, as well as the vast number of reliable and competent medical professionals, make weight loss surgery far less risky than it was a decade or two ago. Still, preparing and gathering information before surgery is just as important as it ever was.

The decision-making process can be complicated, but there is plenty of help available online and offline, as well. Online health forums can be a great place to start asking your questions. You will have the chance to hear the opinions and experiences of others who have already been through with the surgery. If you are more inclined to have your questions answered by a specialist, the majority of clinics organizes free to attend weight loss seminars, where you can confront a specialist with your concerns.

What to Pay Attention to Before Weight Loss Surgery?

The decision to choose one type of bariatric surgery over another is the most important one. Still, once that matter is settled with your bariatric surgeon, there are other essential issues to keep in mind:

• Make sure to discuss the financing details with the chosen Hospital;
• Check if your insurance provider will cover the cost of your surgery;
• Inquire your surgeon about any supplies needed in the post-operative phase and purchase them in time;
• Learn about lead-up medication and follow instructions carefully;
• Inquire about hospital time; make sure you have a friend or a relative to accompany you home. Ideal it would be to have someone around during the first few days after returning home;
• Start implementing healthy eating and living habits in the weeks before the operation, so that the post-operative period would seem less complicated;
• Quit smoking at least 30 days and drinking alcohol at least 48 hours before weight loss surgery.

About Life after Bariatric Surgery

One of the most important things to note about bariatric surgery is that it is a means for help and not a miracle cure. Without a commitment to life-long functional lifestyle changes weight loss surgery will only cause relief for a short period.

• Diet after weight loss surgery is the essential point on which much of the degree and speed of recovery depend. The golden rules are: eating slowly and chewing food thoroughly; never drink fluids while eating, but keep your body well hydrated; avoid carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, alcohol, and in-between meal snacks.
• Check with your surgeon about follow-up tests and make sure to be checked for anemia and other possible deficiencies.
• Keep in close contact with your surgeon and a dietitian to be able to react should any complications occur and be up to date with dietary requirements specific to each postoperative period.

Experience shows that joining a support group is hugely beneficial, not only for the opportunity it offers to meet with people who are in the same boat but also because of the help it can give in time of difficulty.

In the state of Connecticut, bariatric surgery options are available at Griffin Hospital’s Bariatric Clinic. The Hospital is rated to be among the top 25% in the United States in regards to patient satisfaction and has been awarded clinical excellence awards from Premier Healthcare Alliance, HealthGrades, Thomson, and Total Benchmark Solutions.