Preparing for Surgery
> Medical and Psychological Evaluations
> Pre-Surgical Weight Loss
Medical and Psychological Evaluations
Every person who makes the commitment to achieve his or her weight management goal with us is put on an individualized treatment plan. First, you will meet with a physician to determine if this procedure is the right one for you. The physician carefully reviews your obesity history and your medical status to assess if you are a good candidate for bariatric surgery. If your insurance carrier requires it, you will also meet with a mental health counselor. The mental health counselor’s role is for the two of you to discuss your previous attempts at making lifestyle changes as well as your current emotional well-being. Both of these interviews are essential and you will be an active participant in the process. In the end, these will help you decide if this procedure is truly the best option for you.
Pre-Surgical Weight Loss 
Several studies have shown that one of the most significant things a person can do before undergoing bariatric surgery is to reduce his or her pre-surgical weight. Weight loss results in many health improvements such as improving blood pressure and blood glucose regulation and decreasing water retention. Other improved health conditions include a decrease in back pain, sleep apnea and depression. Some research indicates that patients who metabolically adjust to a lower calorie diet before surgery may heal faster than those who must make the adjustment after surgery. It also appears that patients who are able to adhere to a structured diet before surgery may be better prepared psychologically for the highly restricted post-surgical diet they must follow.
Our pre-surgical phase is designed to improve your surgical outcome as well as to help you have hands on experience with the post-surgical diet you will be asked to follow. You will work with a dietitian and a behavior counselor to begin making lifestyle changes. Patients who have completed this phase look back during recovery and say they are glad they did. It truly helps make the first few weeks after surgery far more successful.
