Bariatric surgery wasn’t real until I had my pre-op consult for bariatric surgery.
I mean, I knew I was working towards surgery, but until this appointment, it didn’t feel real. I was nearing the peak of my journey but still had a few things to do. At this visit, you’ll review your medical and surgical history with your surgeon. He or she will order final pre-op testing. They will give you instructions for the pre-op and post-op diets, as well as sign consent forms for surgery. It’s a really exciting and nerve-wracking appointment, but it’s also one of the final opportunities you have to ask questions before surgery. Come prepared with your last-minute questions. Everything becomes real at this appointment. The pre-op consult for bariatric surgery is one of your last appointments and reviews final instructions for before and after surgery.
BARIATRIC SURGERY PRE-OP APPOINTMENT
The pre-op consult for bariatric surgery happens a few weeks before surgery. At this point, you’ll already have completed your pre-op clearances, like cardiology and pulmonology, as well as had some pre-op testing, like a sleep study and an upper endoscopy. You’ll have satisfied your surgeon’s requirements for surgery and have already received authorization from your insurance for surgery. Your surgery date may have already been selected, and the final countdown to surgery is on!
It’s an exciting time but also a scary time. You’ll probably still have some final questions for your surgeon. One of the things I did for this appointment was write down my questions before the appointment. I knew that my nerves and excitement would soon take over, and I’d forget what I wanted to ask. I felt satisfied that I was ready for surgery because I prepared this list of questions beforehand. Also, I can remember feeling proud of all I had accomplished to this point but nervous for the journey ahead. It’s completely normal to feel this way!
I hope I can help relieve some of your nervousness for your pre-op consult for bariatric surgery by explaining to you what happened at my appointment. Each physician and hospital is different, so it may not go exactly how mine went. However, my experience should give you a good idea of what to expect at your pre-op consult appointment. After the formalities of any doctor’s appointment are over, like height, weight and vital checks, you’ll have a discussion with your doctor about surgery.
