Bariatric Surgery | Gastric Bypass Surgery | Gastric Banding | Obesity | After Surgery

When gastric surgery is deemed the best choice to combat morbid obesity, a patient needs to prepare adequately to ensure the success and safety, as well as the positive long-term effects of the procedure. The common misconception people have of weight loss surgery is that it is a magic trick to quickly solve weight problems, but it is but a tool to give overweight or obese folks a head start at a healthier life. Gastric banding is a popular choice for gastric surgery, primarily because it is minimally invasive, least traumatic and is adjustable and reversible.

Preoperatively, there are tasks a patient must accomplish, and here are the most important ones:

1. Meet with a licensed dietician to talk about pre-surgery diet. A modified diet helps prepare the body for the surgery. It also helps the individual adjust to the diet he or she will consume after the procedure.
   
2. It is also important to undergo a psychological evaluation. Many people have a deep relationship with food, and having a diet-restricting surgery done can be quite distressing. Also the drastic change in physical appearance and weight can cause an individual to have self-image issues. Therefore, psychological and emotional preparation is a must.
   
3. An upper gastric diagnostic exam such as a barium swallow or an endoscopy is needed to clear the patient for surgery. There should be no active infections, tumors, polyps or ulcers, or anything that could cause stomach ulcers.
   
4. If necessary, cardiovascular and respiratory evaluations are also needed.