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How
To Prepare For Your Surgery
 Informed consent: You must understand the goals, risks and
limitations of surgery-assisted weight loss. One or more meetings with your surgeon or
staff may be necessary to accomplish this goal. You must read all the literature given to
you carefully, and make sure that all your questions are answered.
Insurance company approval: If you have insurance we must have
their approval for surgery to take place and their approval may take weeks to receive. Our
staff will do all they can to obtain this authorization but the insurance situation may be
beyond our control. Approval does not guarantee payment from your insurance company. We
encourage you to call your company and ask what amount if any will be your responsibility.
Pre-operative evaluation of health status, including any needed consultations.
Often patient must be referred to other specialists to be evaluated for other disease.
Please bring names and addresses of your doctors and specialists. If you have recently had
any laboratory tests arrange to have them forwarded to our office.
One week before your scheduled surgery date you will have a pre-operative office
visit with Dr. Felix. This is for your final check up to make sure it is safe to go
ahead with your surgery. It is very important that you ask any remaining questions you may
have before surgery. You will be given laboratory slips for EKG and chest x-ray, along
with blood tests.
Two days before your surgery you will be on a liquid diet. You will also be
required to clean your intestines. The night before your surgery you are to have nothing by mouth after
midnight, this includes even water. If you take medications ask Dr. Felix and he will give
you specific instructions.
In the Hospital
Wear comfortable clothing to the
hospital
Bring any medications you must have on a daily basis such as inhalers
You should arrive at the hospital at the time we will give you in our office
The nurses will check to make sure all the required laboratory tests are
documented.
Your anesthesiologist will speak to your regarding their part of the procedure.
If you have had any previous surgery and had problems with anesthesia please discuss this
thoroughly with the anesthesiologist.
If you have developed any new medical problems since your pre operative office
visit with Dr. Felix, including but not limited to, cold, flu, broken bones etc. tell the
nurse you need to speak to the doctor before the procedure begins
After your surgery pain medication will be given intravenously by means of a PCA,
Patient Controlled Analgesia, machine. By using this you can give yourself doses of pain
medication when you need it, and the machine will keep you from getting too much.
You may receive oxygen for the first 24 hours, the nurses will show you how to
cough and do your deep breathing exercises. These exercises are very important.
Avoid sitting with your legs down whenever possible. It is better to rest with
your legs elevated whenever you are not walking.
On your first post-operative day your bandages will be removed, and usually no
more need be applied.
While in the hospital you are on a liquid diet only with no dairy products,
if your tray is wrong do not hesitate to let the nurse know and she will order you a new
meal.
Be sure to ask hospital staff if you are unsure about anything, they are here to
help you recover as quickly as possible.
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