Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery Is Key to Success

The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is one that most patients make to improve their quality of life. 

The positive changes related to the surgery, however, should start long before a patient ever heads to the operating room.

A Stanford University School of Medicine study found that for every 1 percent of weight patients lost before surgery, they could expect to lose another 1.8 percent more weight by one year post-op. 

“The more we can help patients prepare themselves before having weight loss surgery, the better their chances are to be successful at continuing to make the lifestyle changes needed to achieve their goals after surgery,” says Dr. C. Joe Northup, bariatric surgeon with Premier Weight Loss Solutions. 

Patients can start taking steps to benefit their weight loss surgery up to six months before the procedure, says Northup. 

Commonly recommended pre-operative steps are as follows:

• Stop smoking because it increases the risk of blood clots during surgery, and we want you to improve your overall health
• Add to your exercise routine little by little
• Control your beverage intake
  • Avoid sugary drinks and liquid calories, such as pop/soda
  • Don’t drink alcohol
  • Limit caffeine
  • Drink at least 64 oz. of water a day
• Control your portion sizes for every meal
• Eat slowly, chewing every bite carefully, because it can take 20 to 30 minutes from the time you put food in your mouth for your brain to recognize that your body feels full
• Focus on eating protein, which helps preserve muscle during rapid weight loss and helps you feel full sooner and longer
• Start eating for health rather than just for pleasure
• Start taking a multivitamin

These steps are a good starting point. But your bariatric team will provide specific information about what steps individual patients should take both before and after surgery, including what vitamins to take, what physical activity routine to follow, and a nutrition plan. 

“Between your surgeon, your dietitian, and the rest of your healthcare team, you should have the tools you need to prepare yourself before surgery and be successful after,” Dr. Northup says.

For more information about preparing for weight loss surgery, talk with your doctor or visit Premier Weight Loss Solutions.