Seminars:

Informational seminars are held in throughout each month locally and out of town. Their purpose is to educate and inform patients on the rationale for surgery, criteria for surgical consideration and surgical options. An overview of all available procedures — with their relative risks and benefits — is given, as well as expectations for a typical hospital stay. Pre-op and Post-op concerns are covered as well, including what dietary guidelines to adhere to after surgery, supplementation required after surgery, which may be procedure specific. The seminars are surgeon led with the assistance of the bariatric nurse; giving prospective patients an opportunity to ask questions about surgery and aftercare. Prospective patients should use this time to assess their “comfort level” with their surgeon; there are few life decisions greater than this one — deciding which operation and which surgeon is right for you in this journey.

Consults and Pre-op Appointments: 

Prior to the consult appointment with the health care provider, patients should download and complete the patient packet. You may bring this to your initial consult appointment, fax or mail it to the office beforehand. Most patients have their pre-op appointment one to two weeks prior to surgery. An evaluation by a clinical psychologist and a bariatric dietician prior to surgery is standard. All patients will meet with the bariatric nurse for education classes and receive their procedure-specific patient guidebook, breathing device and pre-op instruction checklist.

Aftercare:

Post-op aftercare consists of two components – follow-up visits  and support meetings. We have medically trained professionals who are weight loss surgery patients themselves that facilitate the monthly meetings. Patients, both pre and post op are encouraged  to attend, as this is part of their total care for optimal success. A list of our support groups with meeting times can be found under the “support groups” section of this website. In addition, this website features a discussion forum which functions as an online support group. The discussion forum draws input and comments from a wider net than that of a local, live support group. Although this acts to complement the local support groups, many patients without access to a local support group choose to make this their primary support group.

Office visits will be required more frequently the first year and less frequently thereafter.  Diet, exercise, psychological adjustment, family/support interactions, general health and eating patterns are all topics of discussion during follow up visits, with the goal of helping you make the most of your surgery. Surgery is a tool; wellness is the goal.