About Weight Loss Surgery

About Weight Loss Surgery

You're Approved...Now What?

Preoperative Tests and Class

If you haven't had your gallbladder removed (which I have), your surgeon may want to do testing to rule out gallbladder disease. It's possible that the surgeon may decide to remove your gallbladder during the weight loss surgery. About one-third off all patients who still have their gallbladders at the time of their gastric bypass will eventually need to have it removed.

My surgeon requires all patients attend a preoperative teaching class prior to surgery. This is held within the two week period before the surgery and is attended by all patients scheduled for surgery within the following two weeks.

During this class, patients are given detailed information about preventing pneumonia and blood clots while in the hospital; vitamin, mineral, and protein supplementation after surgery; selecting and preparing foods; diet progression; and what is a medical emergency after going home from the hospital. Family members are welcome to attend this class.

The class my husband and I attended was on on November 5 from 1:30 - 4:30 p.m. There were 9 other patients. We were each given a well-organized 3-ring binder full of information we'll need to know early post-op and long-term. We discussed all facets of our new life in great detail, with particular attention to the vitamin and mineral supplements we'll be taking for the rest of our lives.

Preoperative Visit

As the surgery date approached, I had a preoperative visit with the bariatric nurse to review the protocol for the two days before the surgery, and a thorough physical exam by the surgeon. I also had a chance to ask any additional questions I had.

I was asked to sign a consent for surgery, and a surgical informed consent. All the lab work, x-rays, EKG, and other preoperative tests were reviewed during this visit.

The Last Two Preoperative Days

Two days before surgery I had to start a special full liquid diet. This included a very limited variety of foods, such as:

scrambled eggs
mashed potatoes
creamed soups (strained)
Carnation Instant Breakfast
unsweetened applesauce
Ensure
pudding
pureed chicken/turkey
pureed fruits
oatmeal or Malt-o-Meal
Yogurt (no fruit)
Boost

The day before surgery I had to follow a clear liquid diet including:

apple juice
white grape juice
popsicles
chicken or beef broth
ice/hot tea
jello
Kool-aid
Gatorade/Powerade
water
cranapple juice
coffee (no cream)
lemonade (powdered)
cranberry juice
No milk products
No carbonated beverages
No juice with pulp

I also had to use a liquid drink called Fleets Phosphasoda (nasty tasting!) at 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. to clean out my intestines in preparation for the surgery. Easy access to a bathroom during the day before surgery is essential!

The night before and the morning of surgery I was instructed to shower with a product called Hibiclens which I purchased from our Clinic pharmacy for a few dollars.

vmossman2@attbi.com
Last updated on 11/7/02