A Guide to Getting Ready for Weight Loss Surgery

If you have gotten to the point where you have weight loss surgery scheduled, you've been involved in the process for some weeks or months and you've made a firm decision to surgically deal with morbid obesity. You may still have nagging doubts and fear of the unknown, but you have decided the risks of weight loss surgery outweigh the risks of remaining dangerously overweight. How do you prepare for weight loss surgery itself?

Getting Your Affairs in Order
Depending on the weight loss surgery you have, you'll be physically out of commission from 2 to 6 weeks. Get with your benefits department at work to fill out necessary paperwork and make arrangements to have your job duties covered. At home, catch up on household chores and stock up on basic items. It's hard to say what you'll want to - or be able to - eat when you get home. Have soft foods, various drinks and a few protein items like drinks and bars ready. Don't get too much of any one thing in case it doesn't agree with you later. Go ahead and buy your doctor-recommended supplements now. Fill your prescriptions if the surgeon has given them to you ahead of time. Prepare any vital paperwork like power of attorney or special medical documents. Some people do like to be sure their will is in order and leave pertinent information about household bills and affairs with a family member. This is a wise precaution to take before any surgical procedure, not just weight loss surgery.

Pre-Surgery Medical Testing
Often, a day is set aside for you to go to the hospital and get all your pre-weight loss surgery testing and blood work done. This happens fairly close to the surgery date and you will be directed through the process. In addition to the testing, there may be a tour of the hospital area where you will stay after surgery and a class covering weight loss surgery and recovery procedures.

Thinking Ahead About the Hospital Stay
Hospitals, like many institutions, have overworked and underpaid staff. Certainly the care will be adequate, but if you do a little planning, you can make your hospital experience after weight loss surgery a bit easier. First, check on the cost of a private room. This is not covered by insurance, but can be as little as $40 per night. The privacy and lack of a potentially annoying room mate will more than justify the expense. Additionally, you might want to consider having someone stay with you the first night. That is when you are most vulnerable and unable to speak for yourself should a problem arise as a result of your weight loss surgery. A friend or family member can be very helpful in seeing to your comfort and seeking assistance if it is needed.

What to take to the Hospital
Really, you need very little. Plan to wear something loose fitting that you can also wear home. Weight loss surgery involves an abdominal incision and you won't want anything tight across it. The hospital provides a gown, slipper socks and toiletries, so take advantage of that unless you have special needs. Pack a small tote with your hairbrush, eyeglasses, chapstick and a couple magazines. Women might throw in some earrings and a lipstick if you think you want to get spiffy in a day or two. Otherwise, plan to rest and let the nursing staff take care of you. Keep it as simple as you can.

Considerations for Returning Home
You'll be glad to get out of the hospital and the trip home will probably make you ready for a nap. With the incision from the weight loss surgery, you might not want to face the bed just yet, so be prepared to stretch out in the recliner. A neck pillow is handy for comfort and you might even choose to sleep in the recliner at first since it gives you a boost up. Now is when you might like to put on some new jammies or a nice robe for company, so have those at the ready if you think you'll want them. If you are having an open weight loss surgery that requires wearing a binder, purchase a package of men's sleeveless t-shirts to wear between you and the binder. The shirts are very thin and comfortable, come in packs of three, and are inexpensive enough to discard once you are recovered.

You've made your decision and scheduled weight loss surgery. Prepare the best that you can and keep a positive attitude. Weight loss surgery is about to change your life.

sources
Heather Hatfield, "Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery", WebMD
JAMA Patient Page, "Bariatric Surgery", The Journal of the American Medical Association