Prepare for Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
The way you prepare for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery sets the tone for the success of your operation and recovery. Patients who are not committed to their pre-operative duties may find that their doctors postpone or cancel the surgery itself. Roux-en-Y surgery makes it easier to lose weight but the patient still has to do a lot of hard work. Prepare diligently for pre-op to prove you are ready for the challenges of post-op.
Instructions
1. Participate in pre-operation screenings to conclude whether or not you are a candidate for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
2. Contact your insurance company for final confirmation of coverage no later than one to two weeks prior to surgery.
3. Sit down with your family or chosen representative to discuss your wishes should there be an extensive recovery period or other unforeseen circumstances.
4. Lessen the length of time spent in surgery and recovery by dieting before the procedure. Patients who weigh less may be suited for laparoscopic surgery as opposed to traditional gastric bypass surgery. The traditional technique is more difficult for the doctor and the patient.
5. Aim for a pre-surgery weight loss of 10 to 15 or even 25 percent of your total weight.
6. Begin to adapt your diet to post surgery standards.
7. Decrease the sugar and caffeine in your diet.
8. Cut back on your alcohol and tobacco intake. Shoot for totally abstaining from both items.
9. Avoid carbonated beverages.
10. Start an exercise routine. Walk five to ten minutes a day and gradually increase the time.
11. Think about your recovery period. Organize your home to eliminate activities that will put stress on your abdominal muscles.
12. Seek out patients who have undergone gastric surgery to discuss life after the procedure. Many patients are not prepared for the depression and continued food cravings after surgery.
13. Pay an outpatient visit to the hospital for lab work necessary for the surgery.
14. Consider putting away pints of your own blood to be used during your surgery.
15. Adopt a liquid diet two days prior to gastric bypass surgery.
16. Take nothing by mouth after midnight the day before your procedure.
Tags: gastric bypass, gastric bypass surgery, bypass surgery, bypass surgery, Gastric Bypass, Gastric Bypass Surgery