• Home
  • Preparing For Surgery

Preparing For Surgery

Weight loss surgery is like other major surgeries. The best preparation is to understand the risks and potential benefits and to closely follow Mehta Bariatric Center’s instructions.

To mentally prepare yourself:

  • Understand the surgical process and what to expect afterwards.
  • Talk to people who have had weight loss surgery.
  • Write a letter to yourself and your surgeon explaining your reasons for having the surgery and outlining your plans to maintain your weight loss after surgery.
  • Start a journal about your experience. Record how you feel now, the obstacles you encounter, the things you hope to be able to do after surgery.
  • Make sure you have support from your family. It helps to know you have people behind you, waiting to help.

To physically prepare yourself, strictly follow Mehta Bariatric Center’s guidelines. These usually include, but are not limited to:

  • Stop smoking for at least 4 weeks before surgery.
  • Be certain to follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding any medications you may be taking to control other health conditions.
  • Arrive on time, with supplies from home for a two to three day hospital stay. If you use special equipment for sleep apnea, you should bring your machine to the hospital.

Bariatric patients have more choices than ever, not to mention better and safer ones. Operative mortality for most contemporary weight loss surgeries has fallen to less than 1/200 while permanent and significant weight loss has been achieved in multiple published reports. For the growing population of morbidly obese Americans, bariatric surgery has cemented its place as the most effective weight loss treatment available.

Suggested things to bring to the hospital:

  1. Loose comfortable clothing to go home with. (wear the same clothes you came in)
  2. Slip on slippers
  3. Robe *
  4. Chap stick
  5. Hand crème, body lotion
  6. Loose underwear
  7. Toothbrush and toothpaste
  8. Shampoo and soap
  9. Deodorant
  10. Hairbrush
  11. Splenda or Equal

*The hospital provides large enough lose hospital gowns. They are the easiest thing to wear while in the hospital. You will have an IV in for most of your stay and the hospital gowns are IV friendly.

Things you may like to have after surgery:

Recliner – Optional, you can rent these if you don’t have one. . . they are essential for your comfort when you are first recovering.

Baby Food Dishes – Some will be divided dishes with lids. They are a perfect size and can help with portion control and adding variety to your diet.

Diet scale, measuring spoons, and measuring cups — It’s always better to measure out your food. This acts as an aide in preventing you from over eating (yes, this can happen, especially when you’re first adjusting to your new pouch). . .old habits are hard to break!!! Put your food on smaller dishes too. Sometimes it can help “trick” the eye.

Straws – This helps to SLOW down how much fluid you take in a sip.

Blender, Food Processor, Mini Chopper, Food Mill – Anyone of these items will help you to pulverize food. It is important to keep in mind that, especially for the next 4 – 6 weeks, you must not eat anything with chunks of food in it. . .and chew well.

Have questions about this procedure? Ask us now:

We accept all major insurances if you have appropriate benefits, offer financing, and can email you our specials, for those who choose to self-pay.

Have questions about this procedure? Ask us now:

We accept all major insurances if you have appropriate benefits, offer financing, and can email you our specials, for those who choose to self-pay.

Testimonials

  • Dr. Mehta gave me the tools to work with and for that I’m thankful. I’m always telling people about Dr. Mehta and how he helped change my life.*

    Laura S.

  • I have never felt better physically, emotionally and spiritually in my LIFE! I have made a commitment to myself to live a healthier lifestyle and Dr. Mehta has helped in this decision and choice. Down 80 lbs with the lap band.*

    Dawn B.

  • I chose Dr. Mehta because he came highly recommended by my gastrointestinal doctor. Before surgery my maximum weight was 338 lbs. My current weight, one year post-op is 205 lbs. I had no trouble getting an appointment with Dr. Mehta’s office and I found the staff to be kind and very informative and supportive. Dr. Mehta answered all of my questions thoroughly and was very attentive when I developed post op complications. I have not taken advantage of the support staff in place, but I know they’re available should I need them. I would highly recommend Dr. Mehta and the Mehta Bariatric Center to anyone considering bariatric surgery. It has made a tremendous impact on my life.*

    Darlene G. Hillsborough, NJ

  • Dr. Mehta and his staff (especially Lulu) are great!! Dr. Mehta has a great bedside manner and takes the time to talk to you and answer any and all questions that you may have. My situation was different than most. I had an old gastric banding placed in back in 1985. My surgery was performed by a surgeon who no longer practices. The banding had gone bad and eroded through my stomach causing a lot of pain. I had gone to many doctors and finally met Dr. Mehta who decided to help me by performing corrective surgery to remove the band and perform the new gastric bypass. I was back up to 225 lbs and I am now down to 140 lbs. My husband met with Dr. Mehta while he was in the hospital and liked his manners and asked me to call him. I had no problem getting an appointment and he explained everything I needed to know. I had the surgery and I am now feeling great and no longer in pain. I love Dr. Mehta and his staff. I felt I made a great choice and I am glad he took my case on and helped me out.*

    Colleen V. Flemington, NJ

  • I heard about Dr. Mehta through my mother. I felt very comfortable around him. At our first meeting, Dr. Mehta explained the procedure and all risks with me. The staff that Dr. Mehta has is very friendly and helpful with all your questions. I felt like Lulu was a personal friend of mine. Before my surgery, I weighed 237 lbs now I am weighing 145 lbs. I feel great!! I have not been able to utilize the Mehta Bariatric Center’s after care program because of where I live, in Delaware. If I lived closer, I wouldn’t hesitate to utilize it. I highly recommend Dr. Mehta and the Mehta Bariatric Center.*

    Deana C. Newark, NJ