Once you report to the registration desk at the hospital, the surgical aspect of your weight loss journey will soon begin. After being escorted to the preparation area, your nurses will start you with an IV to administer a dose of antibiotics that will help to prevent any infections. Finally, you will be given an abdominal injection of Heparin, an anticoagulant that will help reduce your risk of developing blood clots.
Prior to entering the operating room you will be seen by Dr. Taylor and the anesthesiologist. You will also have an opportunity to meet with your family and ask any questions you have regarding your upcoming surgery.
As you proceed to the operating room you may begin to develop anxiety—this is normal. Anyone heading into the operating room, regardless of how well they’ve mentally prepared, is bound to feel some level of anxiety. Dr. Taylor will provide you with medication to ease anxiety during this time. Once in the operating room, your surgical team comprised of surgical assistants, nurses, your anesthesiologist and weight loss surgeon will accompany you. Take care in knowing your surgical team understands your anxiety and will do their best to put you at ease before following through with your weight loss surgical procedure.
The Operation
To further prepare for your surgery, your surgical team will connect you to machines that monitor your heart rate, blood pressure and vital signs. Soon after, you will be administered medication that will make you feel drowsy and your anesthesiologist will wait until you’re fully asleep to place an endotracheal tube into your mouth and down your windpipe. This tube will make sure your airway stays fully open so you can continue to breathe normally during surgery.
The anesthetic gas and medications administered during the procedure allow you to sleep throughout the entire surgery while experiencing no pain. During this time your oxygen levels and vital signs will be carefully monitored to detect any potential side effects of anesthesia. Rest assured that your surgical team is wholeheartedly devoted to your surgical success and health and will keep a cautious watch on each of your vital signs through the entire surgery.
The last step in the operating room is the actual operation. Depending on the weight loss surgical procedure performed, operating time will vary for each patient. Dr. Taylor’s expertise as a bariatric surgeon will allow him to complete all necessary steps for your specific weight loss procedure. Once the operation is complete, your tiny laparoscopic incision(s) will be dressed and your surgical team will transport you to the recovery room.
After the Operation
When you awake, you will be notified that you’re in the postanesthesia care unit where a nurse will check on you frequently to assess your heart rate, blood pressure and vital signs. Once you are fully awake, you will be moved to the bariatric surgery unit for further monitoring and assessment.
How do you achieve weight loss success? Is it surgery, or a medical weight loss program, or is there some magic pill that only a few “lucky” people are aware of? Weight loss is achieved by a variety of paths. Millions of people have lost weight with bariatric surgery or a medical program but for many the result is temporary and a slow weight gain ensues that returns them to their starting point. This is not our definition of success. [Read more]
There are certain common factors that often lead to weight gain, such as consuming too many calories, leading a sedentary lifestyle, or some combination of both. [Read more]
Dining out with friends or family can be a relaxing and heart-felt experience, but a weight loss surgery can change the dynamics of the experience. Although it is not necessary to avoid restaurants after weight loss surgery, your long-term success will rely on developing skills to handle social eating situations such as restaurants. [Read more]
