Key Takeaways
- Preparing for bariatric surgery involves making dietary changes, developing new habits, undergoing medical evaluations, and ensuring both physical and emotional readiness to achieve the best results.
- Small, gradual adjustments—like eating mindfully, starting a walking routine, and planning for post-op nutrition—can make a significant impact on recovery and long-term success.
- With Bari Life’s specialized pre-op and post-op nutrition kits, you can simplify your preparation and recovery, giving your body the support it needs every step of the way.
Preparation for bariatric surgery typically starts several months to a year before your surgery date.
How long from consultation to bariatric surgery varies based on individual health and insurance requirements, but in most cases, patients should expect a process that takes several months.
Getting ready for bariatric surgery involves many steps before your actual surgery day.
You’ll need to make changes to your eating habits, start exercise routines, undergo medical evaluations, and prepare both mentally and emotionally. It can be overwhelming, but these steps are designed to help you achieve the best possible results from your surgery.
Let’s look what to expect at first bariatric appointment at how to prepare for bariatric surgery in a way that sets you up for success. We’ll break down complex requirements into manageable tasks to help you feel confident and prepared for your surgery day.
Table of Contents
Medical and Psychological Evaluations
Your journey to getting ready for bariatric surgery starts with several important evaluations. During this phase, you’ll meet with your healthcare team for blood tests, heart and lung screenings, and other essential health checks.
These tests catch and address any potential health concerns well before your surgery day, making sure you’re in the best shape possible for the procedure.
During this appointment, you may also want to consider questions to ask bariatric surgeon.
Along with physical tests, you’ll also meet with a mental health professional to talk about lifestyle changes and how you’ll handle them. Many people find this conversation eye-opening – it’s a chance to discuss your concerns, understand the road ahead, and ensure you have solid support.
Both your body and mind need to be ready for this transformation, and these evaluations help make that happen.
Preoperative Weight Loss and Diet Changes
Most individuals must lose a certain amount of weight before their operation date. So, during your preparation, your medical provider will give you a specific diet plan to follow in the months leading up to the procedure.
You may wonder what to eat before bariatric surgery to best prepare your body. Most pre-op diets focus on.
During this time, you’ll start eating smaller portions, choosing protein-rich foods, and cutting back on sugary drinks and snacks. This is to help shrink your liver, which makes the surgery safer.
Bari Life offers pre-surgery diet kits designed to help individuals lose weight, shrink their liver, and reduce surgical risks. These carefully curated meal plans take the guesswork out of pre-op nutrition, ensuring you meet your dietary needs while preparing your body for a successful procedure.
Lifestyle Changes and Habits to Develop
Another crucial aspect of prep for bariatric surgery is developing new habits. You’ll learn to eat slowly and mindfully – taking small bites, chewing thoroughly, and paying attention to when you feel hungry and full.
Many people start a regular walking routine, even if it’s just for 10 minutes a day at first. Staying hydrated is also important. However, you’ll need to learn to drink between meals instead of with them.
These might seem like small changes, but mastering them now makes a huge difference in your recovery. The best part is that you can start these changes gradually, building your confidence as you go.
If you smoke, now is the time to quit. Smoking makes it harder for the body to heal after surgery and can lead to serious complications. Your healthcare team can provide resources and support to help you quit – don’t hesitate to ask for help with this important step.
Medication and Supplement Changes
Your medication will likely need some adjustments as you prepare for surgery. Your health provider will review all the medications you’re currently taking, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and any vitamins or supplements.
For example, you might need to pause blood thinners to prevent excess bleeding during surgery or adjust diabetes medications to keep your blood sugar stable with your new pre-surgery diet.
You’ll likely be taking new vitamins and supplements after surgery, too—most people require extra iron, calcium, vitamin D, and B12, which can be obtained from bariatric vitamins, including bariatric multivitamins, bariatric calcium chews, and bariatric multivitamin with iron to stay healthy and meet post-surgery nutritional needs. Some patients find bariatric vitamins chewable easier to take, while others prefer liquid bariatric vitamin options for better absorption.
Make sure you have a list of your current medications and never stop taking any prescription medicine without consulting with your medical provider first.
Bari Life’s Pre-Op Starter Kit helps individuals build a strong nutritional foundation before surgery, addressing common deficiencies that affect over 85% of people before bariatric surgery. This all-in-one kit ensures you get the essential vitamins and minerals needed to support your body through the pre-op phase and beyond.
Emotional and Social Preparation
Many people wonder what to do before bariatric surgery to prepare mentally. It’s important to have a strong support system during this time. Share your plans with close family and friends, join a support group, or connect with others who have had the surgery.
Meeting with a mental health professional can also be incredibly beneficial. They can help you navigate the emotional challenges of this major life change, address any concerns about body image, and develop coping strategies for stress, emotional eating, or post-surgery adjustments.
Therapy or counseling sessions can provide a safe space to express your thoughts and prepare for the mental shifts that come with weight loss surgery.
You might even start a journal to track your feelings and progress. Others find it helpful to plan for social situations that involve food, like dining out or family gatherings. Recognizing potential emotional triggers and developing healthy responses ahead of time can make the transition easier.
Remember that it’s completely normal to have confusing feelings during this time. What’s important is that you have people in your corner who understand and support your decision.
Prepping for Surgery Day and Recovery
The final weeks approaching surgery are all about planning for a smooth recovery at home. Start by stocking your kitchen with easy-to-prepare protein shakes, sugar-free drinks, and clear broths you’ll need during those first few weeks.
Set up a comfortable recovery space with everything within easy reach. You’ll need loose-fitting clothes that don’t press on your stomach and slip-on shoes since bending over will be difficult at first.
Arrange for someone to take you home from the hospital and stay with you for at least the first few days. Most people take two to four weeks off work, so handle any necessary paperwork with your employer beforehand.
Having these practical details sorted out lets you focus on what really matters—healing and starting your new health journey.
Bari Life’s Post-Op Vitamin Starter Kit makes recovery easier by providing all the essential nutrients your body needs after surgery so you can focus on healing. With everything conveniently packaged for you, staying on top of your post-op nutrition is simple and stress-free.
Conclusion
Getting ready for bariatric surgery is a journey that takes time and dedication. Take it step by step. Each small change you make builds the foundation for your success after surgery.
If you have questions or concerns about the preparation stage, don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare team. They’re there to support you through every step of this life-changing process.
How Bari Life Can Help
Bari Life takes the stress out of bariatric surgery preparation and recovery with expertly designed pre-op diet kits, post-op recovery essentials, and complete vitamin solutions.
From shrinking your liver before surgery to ensuring proper nutrition afterward, their products support every step of your journey.
Take control of your health today—explore Bari Life’s trusted bariatric nutrition plans and supplements and set yourself up for success!
If you want to learn more, why not check out these articles below:
- Bariatric Surgery Must Haves
- Bariatric Surgery Hospital Checklist
- How Long Do You Have To Stop Smoking Before Bariatric Surgery?
What are your tips and tricks to post-bariatric success?