Answer:
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:

• 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.
• Get a letter of support from your family. It helps to know you have people behind you, waiting to help.

To physically prepare yourself, strictly follow your doctor's guidelines. These usually include, but are not limited to:

• Follow your surgeon's pre-surgery diet instructions strictly.
• Be certain to follow your surgeon's instructions regarding any medications you may be taking to control other health conditions.
• Arrive on time, with supplies from home for a two- to eight-day hospital stay depending on your procedure.
• Remember to bring your Hospital Admission Form, your Health Fund details and your doctors referral to the hospital on the day of your admission.

Question:
What can I do before the
appointment to speed up the
process of getting ready for
obesity surgery?

Answer:
Select a general practitioner if you don't already have one, and establish a relationship with him or her. Work with your doctor to ensure that your routine health maintenance testing is current. For example, women may have a pap smear, and if over 40 years of age, a breast exam. And for men, this may include a prostate specific antigen test (PSA).

• Make a list of all the diets you have tried (a diet history) and bring it to your doctor.
• Bring any pertinent medical data to your appointment with the bariatric surgeon - this would include reports of special tests (echocardiogram, sleep study, etc.) or hospital discharge summary if you have been in the hospital.
• Bring a list of your medications with dose and schedule.

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