If you decide to go through with bariatric surgery, it’s important to understand the steps involved before, during, and after the procedure. Knowing what to expect can help you prepare mentally and physically for the changes that come with this type of surgery. Here’s a simple guide to help you understand the process:
■ Before the Surgery
Before the surgery, you will go through a few steps to make sure your body is ready for the procedure. This part is important to ensure the surgery is safe and effective.
- Medical Tests: Your doctor will perform several tests to check your overall health. This could include blood tests, heart checks, and other exams to make sure your body can handle surgery. If you have any health conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure, they’ll make sure those are managed before surgery.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: In the weeks leading up to surgery, your doctor might ask you to make some changes. For example, you may need to adjust your diet or quit smoking if you’re a smoker. These changes help lower the risks during surgery and set you up for success after the procedure.
- Pre-surgery Diet: Some doctors will recommend a special diet before surgery to reduce the size of your liver and make the procedure safer. This diet usually includes low-calorie foods and lots of liquids.
■ During the Surgery
Bariatric surgery is typically performed using a minimally invasive technique known as laparoscopic surgery. This means the surgeon will make small cuts in your abdomen and use a camera to perform the procedure, rather than making one large cut. Here’s what to expect:
- Surgical Procedure: The surgery itself usually takes a few hours. You will be under general anesthesia, which means you’ll be asleep and won’t feel anything during the operation. The surgeon will either reduce the size of your stomach, bypass part of your digestive system, or perform another type of weight-loss surgery depending on your specific needs.
- Laparoscopic Surgery: Because small cuts are used in laparoscopic surgery, the recovery time is usually shorter and less painful compared to traditional open surgery.
- Anesthesia: You’ll be closely monitored while you’re asleep under general anesthesia to ensure your safety throughout the surgery.
■ After the Surgery
After the surgery, you’ll begin a recovery process that involves gradual changes to your diet, regular follow-up visits, and long-term lifestyle adjustments to ensure your health and weight loss.
- Recovery and Diet: Immediately after surgery, you’ll start with a liquid diet. Over time, you’ll slowly transition to soft foods and eventually back to solid foods. This gradual approach helps your body heal and adjust to the changes made during surgery.
- Follow-up Visits: You’ll have regular appointments with your doctor to check on your progress and make sure you’re healing properly. These visits also help monitor your nutrition to ensure you’re getting enough vitamins and minerals. Some people may need to take supplements to avoid deficiencies after surgery.
- Lifestyle Changes: Bariatric surgery is not just about losing weight—it also requires major lifestyle changes. You’ll need to eat smaller portions, stay physically active, and continue taking supplements as recommended by your doctor. Sticking to these changes is crucial for long-term success and maintaining your health.
■ Conclusion
Bariatric surgery can be an effective way to lose weight and improve your health, but it requires careful preparation and commitment. Before the surgery, you’ll go through medical tests and make lifestyle changes to ensure your body is ready. The surgery itself is usually done laparoscopically, which means quicker recovery times. After surgery, you’ll need to follow a specific diet and make long-term lifestyle changes to stay healthy and maintain your weight loss. Regular follow-up visits with your doctor are important to monitor your progress and ensure you’re getting the nutrition you need. By understanding what to expect before, during, and after surgery, you can be better prepared for this life-changing journey.
