Steps to Weight-Loss Surgery
Before Surgery
Before
taking the step of weight-loss surgery, make a commitment that you will
improve your health by sticking to your new food guidelines and
exercising regularly. Prepare yourself mentally for the changes your
body will undergo after surgery.
Meet with your physician and
discuss your options for weight-loss surgery. Ask questions and share
your concerns. Find out what health benefits you’ll receive by having
surgery. If surgery is right for you, talk with a surgeon. Discuss the
risk involved with weight-loss surgery.
Talk with your health insurance plan administrator to find out if surgery is covered on your insurance plan.
Contact
Benefis Bariatric Institute. As you meet with the Bariatric Nurse
Coordinator, you will gain the knowledge and support necessary to lose
weight successfully. Make plans to attend the nutrition education
classes, which will prepare you for your procedure and help you manage
your weight-loss appropriately. Attend the support group meetings to see
how others are winning the weight-loss battle.
A pre-operative
evaluation will be conducted to assess your heart and lung function,
your dietary needs and to review your psychological condition.
Prepare
for post-surgery follow-up, which is critical to avoid serious
complications and to ensure positive outcomes. Follow-up includes
scheduled clinical visits and regular attendance at support group
meetings. And remember, Benefis Bariatric Institute staff is always
available to meet with patients to assist with support. Bring a friend
or family member with you—they are welcome too.
Day of Surgery
On
the day of surgery, check-in at the Surgery waiting room 2-hours prior
to your procedure. Wear loose-fitting clothes and no jewelry. Leave
valuables with family members, including your overnight bag.
The
Surgery waiting room is on the second floor of Benefis Hospitals East
Campus. Your family can wait here until your surgery is complete. When
your procedure is finished, the surgeon will visit the waiting room to
speak with your family. Meanwhile, you will be taken to the recovery
room for 2-3 hours where a nurse will monitor you as you wake from
anesthesia.
When you are ready to leave recovery, you’ll be taken to your room on the Surgical Unit, on the 7th Floor of Benefis Hospitals East Campus North Tower.
After Surgery
Once
on the Surgical Unit and settled into your room, your nurse or nurses
assistant will be in and out checking your blood pressure, oxygen
levels, pain control and making sure your stay at Benefis is as
comfortable as possible.
The sooner you’re up and moving around,
the better you will feel. Your nurse will encourage you to sit up on the
side of the bed, to walk around the room or even to walk the unit
hallways. This is a good way to regain your strength and clear your
head.
The day after surgery, you will have an X-ray swallow test
to be sure your surgery was successful. On this day you also will be
expected to be walking, breathing deeply and coughing, taking in fluids
and learning how to care for the drain from your incision.
Once
discharged from the hospital, you will need someone to drive you home.
If you have prescriptions that need to be filled, ask your family member
to get those for you. And, if possible, have someone with you for the
first couple days as you recuperate. The support of family and friends
is important in the healing process.
You may experience weakness,
lack of hunger, nausea, bloating, gas, slight discomfort at the drain
site, taste changes and smell changes. All of these issues will be
worked through as you get used to your new lifestyle. These changes take
time and will not happen overnight. Just remember this is a work in
progress and the day of surgery could be seen as your new birthday—the
first day to a whole new you.