Preparing for your first consult

To the fully prepared the job is half accomplished before it begins even; nowhere else this maxim holds truer than in bariatric surgery. A fully informed, well prepared person will get much better results from bariatric surgery, than someone who just rushes headlong into it without understanding the pros and cons and likely implications.

If you are contemplating Bariatric surgery, you should know the right questions to ask, as it is not an emergency in most of the situations, you have time to prepare well. You may start with meaningful internet search, and focus your attention on authentic and reputed sites, like ASMBS, and IFSO patient information sections; you may also refer to sites maintained by eminent Bariatric surgeons and tertiary care hospitals. Many Bariatric units and hospitals run regular support groups, and if asked for they encourage prospective patients to attend those; there, you can meet operated patients on all milestones of their weight loss journey, and get a fair idea of what to expect. Then there are pre-operative orientation group meetings where you can obtain lot of useful information.

It is helpful to meet a few of the operated patients before making up your mind, also remembering that an individual patients experience may be entirely different from that of majority. You may ask them about, how long they stayed In the hospital, when they were able to resume their day to day activities, their weight -loss pattern(though there is a lot of individual variations),and quality of life etc.

There are questions pertaining specifically to Gastric Bypass surgery such as whether one would require vitamins and Mineral supplements, and for how long, what are the realistic chances of curing or improving their diabetes, lipid problems hypertension, sleep apnea, back ache, and the likes. It is important to be aware that disease like PCOD and Psoriasis may be completely cured or undergo prolonged remission after bariatric surgery.

Lastly, you must ask about likely complications, though Lap Gastric bypass is a safe operation; as safe as gall bladder surgery or hysterectomy, when done in high volume centers. It is a good idea to jot down you queries before you go for that all important first consult which has the potential to change your life completely!

Remember that the first encounter leaves a lasting impression, so prepare well and then go with the flow. Best of luck.