Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

Many healthcare and insurance providers prefer a multi-disciplinary support team for patients undergoing weight loss surgery. This team, consisting of professionals in four specialty areas, will create a program especially for you.

• Medical
• Nutritional
• Psychological
• Surgical

The support team will ensure you will achieve the best results. In addition, the team can provide ongoing support and observations following the procedure.

Selecting a procedure
Once you have consulted with a physician and your multi-disciplinary support team, they will discuss the various procedures and options available. Your physician should discuss the benefits of the different procedures as well as the risks and costs.

What can I do to prepare myself?
To achieve maximum results from weight loss surgery, you should take a few steps to ensure you and your loved ones are well-prepared for the road ahead:

• Mental Preparation
• Get educated on the different weight loss procedures available. Research and discuss with your physician whether a restrictive procedure or a malabsorptive procedure is best for you.
• Inform your family and friends of your plans for the future, so they will be ready to help along the way.
• Talk to other recipients of weight loss surgery. Find out what hurdles they faced and what strategies they used to cope. One great source of information is a weight loss surgery support group.
• Keep a record of your progress, so you can track your accomplishments and monitor whether your program requires adjustment.
  
• Physical Preparation
• Prior to surgery, your physician should provide information on how you can physically prepare for surgery.