Pre-Surgical Visits & Education
Preparing for Surgery
Surgery
Support After Surgery
1. Getting Started
Upon contacting us, we will arrange an appointment to see Shelley Lisle, our clinical nurse specialist for a pre-assessment and education session. At this initial consultation, time is spent exploring your medical and obesity history to see if surgery suits you and what benefits might be achieved. Information about surgical options and the follow up process is explained and it is a terrific opportunity to ask questions about any aspect of surgery, our team or your care.
You will next have a Private Consultation with surgeon, Mr. Ahmad Aly or Mr. Kiat Lim and you are invited to proceed through the multidisciplinary assessment program and see the rest of the team. A thorough medical evaluation including screening blood tests to check your general health and fitness for surgery is performed by one of our physician Dr. Lucilla Knight.
2. Preparing for Surgery
A one-on-one assessment with a Dietitian (Caitlyn Green or Fiona Sammutt) focuses on working with you to achieve the eating patterns that is required for success. An introductory appointment with our psychologist, Karen Edwards allows discussion of a wide range of important psychological or behavioural issues common when considering weight loss surgery.
Together, we determine your best surgical option, whether Gastric Banding, Sleeve Gastrectomy or Gastric Bypass. Your surgeon will discuss the surgery with you in detail, including how it is done, how they work, what can be achieved, as well as possible complications. We want you to have all the information you need when making the decision to have bariatric surgery.
Once assessed as ready and suitable for surgery, you are then offered a date for surgery. During all of this, your care is co-ordinated by Shelley Lisle, the Clinical Nurse Specialist, and Kelly Sanguinetti, our Administrative Practice Manager who provide education and help you prepare for your “Weight Loss Journey”.
Weight loss surgery is like other major surgeries. The best preparation is to understand the obesity surgery risks and potential benefits and to closely follow your doctor’s instructions. To mentally prepare yourself we will help you understand the surgical process and what to expect afterwards, talk to people who have had weight loss surgery, write a letter to yourself and your surgeon explaining your reasons for having the obesity surgery and outlining your plans to maintain your weight loss after surgery, start a journal about your experience.
Record how you feel now, the obstacles you encounter, the things you hope to be able to do after obesity surgery. It helps to know you have people behind you, waiting to help. To physically prepare yourself, strictly follow your doctor’s guidelines.
3. Your Hospital Stay
Most patients stay in the hospital approximately five to eight days after an open procedure and two to five days after a laparoscopic procedure. You will be discharged when you are able to:
- Take enough liquids and nutrients by mouth to prevent dehydration
- Have no fever
- Have adequate pain control with medication
4. Life After Surgery
To assist you further the following links have important information for you to follow after weight loss surgery. In addition to general guidance in these areas, there are answers to some of the more commonly asked questions:
