Bariatric surgery for weight loss

5 Steps to Prepare for Weight Loss Surgery

Shedding those stubborn calories can feel like an endless struggle, but sometimes, it takes more than just willpower. Weight loss surgery can greatly improve your health and get back your vitality by helping you lose excess weight. 

Bariatric surgery for weight loss lowers the chances of chronic illnesses, improves movement, and supports a higher quality of life. The surgery works by either reducing the size of your stomach or changing how your body absorbs nutrients. This means you eat less and feel full sooner, consuming fewer calories. 

Over time, this leads to weight loss and can also help improve related health issues like diabetes or high blood pressure. But anyone who’s recommended this surgery should prepare well for it to achieve the best results. 

Getting ready for bariatric surgery is important for:

  • Better Results: Following all pre-surgery steps makes the surgery more effective.
  • Fewer Problems: Good preparation reduces the risk of issues.
  • Long-Term Success: Being well-prepared ensures lasting results and better weight management.

The expert bariatric surgeon at ATX Robotic Surgery recommends five key steps to prepare for weight loss surgery. Let’s understand each stage thoroughly to guide you through everything. Contact us now.

Step 1: Educate Yourself About the Bariatric Surgery

Start by researching or talking to a specialist about different types of weight loss procedures, such as:

  • Gastric bypass: This procedure removes a small pouch from your stomach, avoiding other parts of the intestine.
  • Sleeve gastrectomy: Sleeve surgery for weight loss removes most of the stomach, leaving a small pouch that helps you eat less.
  • Adjustable gastric banding: This involves placing a band around the upper stomach to make a smaller sac, limiting how much you can eat.

Knowing about these options helps you understand their benefits and choose the right one for you. Surgical centers like ATX Robotic Surgery offer detailed information and counseling on various procedures to help you choose the best fit for you.

Step 2: Make Lifestyle Changes Pre-Surgery

Getting ready for weight loss surgery involves lifestyle changes, particularly your eating habits and body movements.

A dietician or nutrition expert can help you plan out a diet chart for nutritional requirements before and after your surgery. You may be asked to eat smaller portions and low-calorie, high-protein diets, chew food well, drink enough water, take vitamins/supplements, etc.

Also, if your blood sugar isn’t controlled, work with your doctor to manage it before surgery. All these steps make the surgery more effective and help you recover faster.

You may also be asked to do some physical activities as a part of your routine. Exercising before surgery helps reduce complications, improves heart and lung health, and supports faster recovery. It also helps with weight loss, making the surgery and recovery easier.

Step 3: Build a Support System

Like any other medical procedure, bariatric surgery for weight loss also requires the patients to be emotionally and mentally ready. Address any emotional issues with a therapist or counselor. Being psychologically prepared for changes after surgery is important for success. With a professional, you’ll talk about your mental health history, including past depression or eating issues and addictions like alcohol, smoking, etc. 

You should also talk to your family members and friends to receive the moral support you need. This will help you get through any emotional ups and downs. Having such a support network ensures you have the help needed to face the challenges of the surgery.

Step 4: Complete Pre-Surgery Medical Evaluations

Before approving you for a robotic weight loss surgery, your doctor will test your heart and lungs to ensure they’re strong enough. You’ll also have blood tests to check your metabolism and nutrition. These may include blood tests, EKGs, and other screenings to check your health and identify any risks.

Completing these evaluations ensures you’re healthy and ready for surgery, reducing the risk of complications. So, your surgeon and other healthcare professionals will review all your test results to plan your surgery.

Step 5: Plan for Post-Surgery Recovery

Planning for recovery helps you be ready for the changes and challenges after bariatric surgery. Learn about the diet you’ll need to follow after surgery, starting with liquids and slowly adding solid foods. Following this diet is crucial for healing and weight loss. You would also be asked to refrain from certain activities and indulge only in those exercises and movements that your doctor recommends.

Besides, you’d need to set realistic expectations. Be aware of the weight loss timeline and recovery process. Being patient and following your surgeon’s advice is important for a good result.

Start Your Weight Loss Journey with ATX Robotic Surgery in Austin, TX

Preparing for weight loss surgery by getting the right information, making lifestyle changes, building a support system, completing medical tests, and planning recovery sets you up for the best results.

If you’re searching for ‘bariatric surgery near me’ in Austin or Georgetown, visit ATX Robotic Surgery. Using advanced robotic technology, our team of surgeons will guide you through the right type of surgery and everything necessary to be ready for it. With our robotic expertise and the hi-tech Da Vinci Surgical Systems, we provide precise and efficient surgical care to help you live your best life. Book your appointment today!

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