What awaits you in the pre-operative preparation process?

The decision to have bariatric surgery is a life changing decision. In this direction, change should begin from the moment you make a decision. Before you have the surgery, you should start making changes in your lifestyle such as starting exercise, quitting smoking, changing diet and alcohol use.

When you come to the general surgery outpatient clinic, your doctor will ask you for some tests and counseling from other departments in order to evaluate whether you are suitable for surgery. Departments such as dietitian, psychiatry, endocrinology, cardiology, gastroenterology will examine you about whether you can have surgery and will do the necessary tests. Then, the general surgeon decides that you can have bariatric surgery if there is no problem in your general health condition, together with the tests and opinions of other doctors.

Surgery preparations begin. In this process, an appointment is made from the anesthesia polyclinic and the doctor evaluates whether you are ready for surgery with some tests such as blood tests, EKG, chest X-ray.

Before the surgery;

• Quit smoking 2 months before the surgery. Smoking increases the possibility of health problems that may occur during and after surgery.
• Remind your doctor if you have sleep apnea before surgery.
• Before the operation, you must inform your doctor about the medications you use regularly. You may need to make medication adjustments before surgery.
• Start diet before surgery.
• Start with the level of exercise you can do before the surgery (such as walking). Try to increase gradually. Walk for 150-250 minutes a week.
• Pre-operative examinations should be completed during this process.

One day before surgery

• The night before the operation, your nurse will prepare you for the operation and give you information about it
• You should stop all eating and drinking (including water) from the night before the surgery until the morning of the surgery.
• Do not shave the surgical site with products such as razor blades or depilatory creams before the operation. Do not use products such as creams or perfumes.
• Be sure to have a relative with you.
• If you have complaints such as cold, cough, sore throat, be sure to inform your doctor.
• Sleep well at night.

On the morning of the surgery;

• Take your shower on the morning of the surgery. Wear clean clothes.
• Do not use products such as creams, perfumes, lotions.
• Remove your nail polish and make-up.
• Remove any jewelry, if any.
• Brush your teeth.
• Before going to the operation, your nurse will bring you a bonnet and apron.
• Take off your clothes completely and wear the apron with the closed part forward.
• Put on the cap so that it covers your hair.
• Make sure to deliver your valuables to your relatives or other trusted ones during the operation.
• When the surgery time comes, you will be taken to the operating room accompanied by a staff member.