Preparation for surgery starts several weeks before the scheduled date.

• Avoid aspirin, products containing aspirin and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAID) such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Advil, Aleve, Motrin etc… for two weeks before surgery. However, if you are taking aspirin once a day for a heart related reason, check with your doctor for special instructions.

• Stop estrogen supplements one week before surgery.

• Stop smoking four weeks prior to surgery. One can significantly reduce postoperative risk of lung infections by not smoking for at least two to three weeks before the date of surgery.

• Start a low fat diet (1200 calorie per day) two weeks prior to surgery. Keep in mind, your surgery will be postponed if your weight increases.

• Eat a low fat diet prior to surgery, one can shrink the size of the liver and significantly reduce the chance of surgery performed through an open technique (an incision that extends from the breastbone to the navel).

Additional care must be taken on the day before surgery. After 3 p.m. on the day before surgery:

• Only consume clear liquids such as clear soups (chicken broth), water and diet juices. Talk to the doctor to confirm what clear liquids are right for you.

•  Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.

 

Come prepared on the day of surgery:

• Shower well, paying particular attention to the operative site (belly).

• Bring all medications that you are currently taking with you to the hospital.

• You need to discuss with the surgeon which medications you should stop before surgery. In general, all blood thinners (aspirin, NSAID’s, Plavix) need to be stopped 10-14 days before surgery. In addition, you need to stop oral hypoglycemic agents such as metaformin (glucophage) 48hrs before surgery. You must check with your primary care physician or cardiologist prior to stopping any medications.

• Bring your C-pap Mask if you have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and are using C-pap machine at home.

Arrive at the hospital about two hours before the scheduled time for surgery (unless given another time by the surgeon's office). The surgery will take approximately one hour for the lap band and two to three hours for the gastric bypass . Your family may wait in the waiting room and we will contact them as soon as the operation is complete. After surgery, you will then be moved to the recovery-room where you will recover from the anesthesia for 2-3 hours.