What to Expect Before & After Bariatric Surgery

Before Your Bariatric Surgery

Preparing for your bariatric surgery is preparing for a long term commitment to weight management.

We'll help you learn and establish healthy eating patterns and a fitness routine that works for you and your lifestyle.

Your physical health will be thoroughly evaluated for a safe surgery with durable results.

You will have these appointments prior to your bariatric surgery:

Consult with your bariatric surgeon
Nutrition assessment and evaluation
Nutrition pre-op instructions; you will be placed on a very low calorie diet and start nutritional supplements for two-to-three weeks prior to your surgery date
Laboratory tests
An electrocardiogram (EKG)
An esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD)
Other preoperative clearance tests your surgeon may find necessary, such as a sleep study or cardiology evaluation
Pre-op physician review of your tests to determine your readiness for surgery

Following surgery, you will be on a progression diet, gently introducing increasingly more textured foods over the first three-to-four weeks.

Your diet will be nutritionally dense, smaller in size and contain plenty of fluids supplemented with vitamins and minerals.

Your portion sizes will depend on your surgical procedure.

Regular fitness is necessary to maintain your weight loss over the long term following your surgery.

Medications often change and are reduced if not eliminated as you lose weight.

Pills will need to be crushed at first, and you'll want to work with your primary care doctor or specialists for dose adjustments.

This is a big change for many people and you may find yourself with new emotional feelings that can range from feelings of fear to elation.

This free group is a peer-to-peer forum to support you after weight loss surgery, or if you are looking to have surgery in the future.

The group is led by our Bariatric Dietitian, with content tailored to facilitate education and conversation around the post-op journey.

The bariatric surgery support group meets virtually on Microsoft Teams every fourth Monday (unless a holiday) from 5:30-6:30 p.m.

If you are interested in joining, please email us at wlbcsupportgroup@evergreenhealthcare.org.