Before the surgery

What tests should one undergo?

A few tests are mandatory before undergoing surgery for obesity. These tests will help your surgeon ensure your fitness to undergo the procedure and avoid possible complications. Blood tests include routine blood counts, liver and renal function tests, coagulation profile, thyroid function tests and diabetic profile and assessment of blood levels of iron, vitamin B12, folic acid and others which will serve as baseline parameters of your health condition. Further, an echocardiography (for your heart), pulmonary function tests (for your lungs), a sleep study (to assess snoring and episodes of breathlessness in your sleep) ultrasound of your abdomen and a Doppler study (a type of Ultrasound) of your lower limb veins will be performed. An Upper GI endoscopy is performed by a gastroenterologist, who passes a tube (endoscope) through your mouth into your stomach to look for any abnormalities. You may need to undergo additional tests if indicated.

Counseling before surgery:

A bariatric team will ensure adequate pre-operative counseling regarding available procedures, risks and benefits and long-term life style modifications required to benefit from bariatric surgery. All available surgical procedures will be explained to you and you will have the final say as to what procedure will be performed by the surgeon.

You will have sessions with a dietician who will calculate ideal weight and BMI and provide a diet chart. It is essential that the dietary modifications must begin prior to surgery. You are advised to lose 4-5 kg prior to your operation which not only makes your operation safer but also boosts your motivation to lose weight.

Preparing for the surgery:

After your surgeon reviews the potential risks and benefits of the operation with you and your relatives, you will need to provide a written consent for surgery. If your drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, please inform your doctor. You will be put on liquid diet 14 days prior to the operation. On the night before operation, you will have nothing to eat or drink after 12 am. You will be assessed by your anaesthetist the day before the surgery. It is mandatory that your blood pressure and blood sugars are controlled prior to surgery.

After the procedure:

When you wake up from the anesthesia, you will find that a tube may be placed in your abdominal cavity to drain any fluid that may collect during or after surgery. This drain is usually removed on the second or third day after operation as the amount of fluid drained gradually decreases. After surgery, you will not be allowed to eat or drink for 12-24 hours. On the morning of the day after surgery, you will started on liquids as recommended by your physician. This diet will further be reviewed and gradually increased by your dietician.