In the months leading up to surgery, you will have gathered information, met with experts, evaluated insurance options, and proactively made lifestyle changes to diet and exercise. With the surgery date set, it’s time to make final preparations for surgery.
The Months Leading Up to Weight-Loss Surgery
Your future does not start after the surgery. It starts now. Since your BMI is a major deciding factor in weight-loss surgery, diet and exercise are extremely important. Beginning an exercise program before your surgery is the best time for your weight-loss plan. The sooner you begin exercising, the easier it will be after you have surgery. Start by moving more.
- Walking daily improves your circulation and will help make recovery easier. Grab a pedometer to keep track of your progress.
- If joint conditions are an issue, look into aquatics programs. Water exercises are great to condition your breathing, but do not put pressure on your joints.
If you’re diabetic, be sure to measure your blood sugar before, during, and after exercising, and always have insulin at your disposal.
Now is also the time to work on your diet and nutrition. Have a discussion with your doctor regarding your weight-loss diet, what weight-loss foods are essential, and how to make sure you are getting the right vitamins and minerals. Discuss weight-loss meals before and after surgery.
Patients are required to stop smoking 8 weeks before surgery, as well as agree to permanently stop smoking after bariatric surgery. Not only is smoking bad for your health, but the complications associated with tobacco and surgery are considerable. Smoking hinders proper lung function and can increase the possibility of anesthetic complications. Smoking can increase your risk of additional complications, like deep vein thrombosis (blood clots in the legs). Smokers who undergo anesthesia are at increased risk for developing cardiopulmonary complications (pulmonary embolism, pneumonia and the collapsing of the tiny air sacs in the lungs) and infection. Besides the well-known risks to the heart and lungs, smoking stimulates stomach acid production, leading to possible ulcer formation. If necessary, speak with your primary care physician about the possibility of a prescription for a smoking cessation aid.
The Weeks Leading Up to Weight-Loss Surgery
Be sure your surgeon is aware of all medicines and herbal supplements you are taking. Avoid all aspirin and aspirin-based medicines for at least 10 days before weight-loss surgery. Even herbal medicines like gingko biloba, garlic, and others should be avoided, as they have blood-thinning properties. Check the label of your multi-vitamin, as many contain herbal supplements. Over-the-counter medication labels should be checked as well, as many contain aspirin. When in doubt, always check with your pharmacist and/or surgeon.
Good hygiene is a must before surgery. Your skin integrity is very important for the operative site. Keep skin clean and dry, especially the few days leading up to surgery. A skin breakdown could possibly cause your bariatric surgery to be delayed.
The Day Before Weight-Loss Surgery
At your pre-operative appointment, your surgeon will give you specific instructions to follow. You may only drink clear liquids, such as water, coffee, tea, apple juice, grape juice, cranberry juice, bouillon, broth, clear soda, and gelatin. After midnight the day before surgery, you cannot take anything by mouth except medications approved by the anaesthetist and surgeon. Your stomach must be completely empty at the start of the procedure to reduce the risk of aspiration.
If you are ill before surgery with a cold, persistent cough, fever, skin breakdown, or any changes in your condition, please notify the surgeon immediately. You will then need to be re-evaluated for surgical readiness. Your bariatric surgeon wants you to be in the best possible shape for anaesthesia.
The Day of Weight-Loss Surgery
It is recommended that you shower in the morning on the day of surgery. Do not use any moisturisers, creams, lotions, or makeup. Remove jewellery and do not wear nail polish. You may wear dentures, but you will need to remove them just prior to surgery.
When you go to the hospital, just bring the essentials, such as:
- A small overnight bag with toiletries, including toothbrush, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, and lotion
- Your eyeglasses and a case, if possible
- Protective storage case(s) for corrective lenses, dentures, hearing aids, etc.
- Bathrobe
- Address and phone numbers of loved ones
- Lip balm
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to wear when you go home. Clothes that are easily removed and easy to slip on are best.
After Surgery
Typically, bariatric surgery patients can expect to return to work in about 2 to 4 weeks. This schedule can vary from person to person. The time you take from work can depend on a variety of things:
- The type of work you do
- Your general state of health
- Your need to work
- Your work environment
- Your general state of motivation
- Your energy level
Be aware that you are not just recovering from weight-loss surgery; you are going to be eating very little and losing weight rapidly. You’ll need time to get to know your new digestive system, rest, get proper nutrition, exercise, understand behavioural therapy, and meet with other patients in support group meetings.
Support groups are an integral part of the healing process, physically and emotionally. All patients are encouraged to incorporate a support group into their monthly schedule.
Alcohol can cause gastric irritation and liver damage. During periods of extreme weight loss, the liver becomes especially vulnerable to toxins such as alcohol. You may find that only a couple of sips of wine can give you unusually quick and strong effects of alcohol intolerance. Additionally, alcoholic beverages are high in empty calories and may cause “dumping syndrome.” It is recommended that patients complete a year of abstinence from alcohol after surgery and avoid frequent consumption thereafter.
