How To Get Ready For Weight Loss Surgery

Undergoing bariatric weight loss surgery doesn’t happen overnight. The process leading up to surgery may begin more than a year before the surgery date. There are some essential steps you must take to prepare for the procedure. Also, learning new ways to approach food, physical activity and lifestyle changes before surgery will help ensure long-term success well beyond your surgery date. Here are some things you can start doing today to begin preparing:

1. Learn about your surgical procedure. Research the different options, risks and lifestyle changes required. Talk with others who have had surgery to better understand the experience. Discuss your long-term goals with your surgeon to find the procedure that will best match your specific situation.


2. Understand your surgical costs and payment options. Not all insurance plans cover weight loss surgery and the clinic visits required before and after the procedure. Also, many plans have requirements for body mass index, age, obesity-related health conditions and proof of participation in a medically-supervised diet program. Talk with your insurance provider about your options, or ask our team about available self-pay and financing options. We are available to assist you in answering questions about insurance coverage and payment options.


3. Educate yourself about diet and lifestyle changes you may need to make before surgery. Leading up to your procedure, your care team will likely recommend a nutrition plan to help you make any modifications needed to properly prepare your body for surgery. If you smoke, you may be asked to quit to reduce the chance of post-surgical complications, such as pneumonia.


4. Establish an exercise routine. If you are not currently exercising, begin to create a consistent physical activity plan that fits your ability. Start small with short walks, chair exercises or small increases in daily activities. Find something you enjoy doing, and focus on increasing frequency rather than intensity by gradually adding a few minutes of activity every day.


5. Prepare your hospital packing list. Commonly recommended items include: comfy clothes, chapstick, lotion, slippers or socks with tread, cell phone or tablet, books and reading material, mouthwash or breath spray, pillow, underwear and personal toiletries.


6. Take full advantage of the resources our care team provides. Every patient is unique, and we have a wealth of information, education and support options to help. During consultation and pre-operative clinic appointments, bring a list of specific health concerns and questions so we can connect you with the right resources.

We are Here to Help! Take the Next Step

Our team is available to assist you throughout the surgical weight loss process and answer any questions you may have along the way.

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