Your Weight Loss Journey

Understanding Your Weight Loss Journey

Weight loss surgery is a great solution for those seeking effective and sustainable weight loss. This journey is not just about shedding kilograms; it's about transforming one's life and overall well-being.

This guide will walk you through the various aspects of your weight loss journey, from decision-making to post-operative care. We aim to provide clear, accurate, and understandable information for anyone considering this path to a healthier future.

Multi-disciplinary Review

Weight loss surgery is a transformative journey requiring a multi-disciplinary approach to ensure the best possible outcomes. This review will walk you through the various stages of your weight loss surgery journey: before, during, and after the surgery. 

The goal is to provide a comprehensive understanding of the collaborative efforts involved in each phase to ensure the safety and success of the procedure.

Before Weight Loss Surgery

• Preoperative Assessment:
• A discussion occurs between your bariatric surgeon and you to identify your goals, medical history and appropriateness for surgery or other weight-loss intervention. 
• A multi-disciplinary team, including your bariatric surgeon dietitian, and may include a psychologist and/or bariatric physician, to thoroughly assess what we need to do together to maximise your outcomes. We also involve any other specialists you might already be seeing in the process.
• Eligibility criteria are determined by considering factors like BMI, comorbidities, overall readiness for surgery, and your preferences and circumstances.
• Nutritional Evaluation:
• A dietitian assesses your current dietary habits and guides preoperative nutrition and lifestyle changes.
• You may be required to follow a diet plan to reduce liver size pre-operatively.
• Psychological Evaluation:
• A psychologist may be beneficial in evaluating your mental health and assessing factors like motivation, coping mechanisms, and potential challenges post-surgery.
• Psychological support is offered to help you prepare emotionally for the procedure and the following lifestyle changes.
• Education and Informed Consent:
• You will receive comprehensive education on the selected surgical procedure, including risks, benefits, and expected outcomes.
• Informed consent is obtained, ensuring you understand the surgery and its implications clearly. This includes financial consent, i.e. understanding the costs of your surgery.
• Support Group Participation:
• Many patients benefit from participating in support groups or counselling sessions with peers who have undergone weight loss surgery.
• These groups provide emotional support and valuable insights into the journey ahead.

Day of Weight Loss Surgery

On the day of your surgery, a coordinated and multidisciplinary approach is essential to ensure the safety and success of the procedure. The following healthcare professionals are involved in this critical patient journey phase.

• The Bariatric Surgeon is the primary specialist responsible for performing the surgical procedure. The surgeon leads the operative team during surgery, ensuring the chosen weight-loss procedure is executed precisely.
• The Anaesthetist carefully monitors your vital signs throughout the procedure, including heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen levels. Any adjustments to anaesthesia are made as needed to ensure your comfort and safety. At Hunter Weight Loss and Upper GI, we use a small group of anaesthetists with experience in bariatric surgery operations. 
• The Surgical Team includes scrub nurses, surgical assistants (often another surgeon), and other healthcare professionals who assist the surgeon during the procedure. They ensure the surgical instruments are sterile, handle instruments during surgery, and maintain sterile conditions in the operating room.
• Nursing Staff will help in your recovery immediately following your operation.

The weight loss surgery day is a critical juncture in your journey. The collaborative efforts of these healthcare professionals, each with their specialised roles, contribute to a successful procedure while prioritising your safety and well-being. This multidisciplinary approach ensures that you receive comprehensive care throughout the surgical process.

After Weight Loss Surgery

The multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals ensures your recovery and long-term success. These include:

• The bariatric surgeon assesses the surgical site, monitors for complications, and provides guidance on follow-up care.
• The dietitian develops a customised diet plan tailored to the specific weight loss surgery performed.
• A bariatric physician may be involved in your care. These doctors specialise in monitoring you post-operatively and may do procedures such as intragastric balloons.
• Mental health professionals may provide psychological support and counselling to help you cope with the emotional and psychological aspects of weight loss surgery.
• Nursing staff in the recovery area will continue to monitor your vital signs and recovery immediately after surgery.
• Exercise physiologists assist patients in developing and maintaining a safe and effective exercise routine.
• Depending on your pre-existing conditions and specific needs, medical specialists such as endocrinologists or cardiologists may be involved in managing comorbidities and ensuring overall health.
• Pharmacists play a role in medication management, ensuring you understand and adhere to their prescribed medications. They monitor for potential drug interactions and side effects.

Effective communication and collaboration among these healthcare professionals are crucial to postoperative care. The multidisciplinary approach ensures that you receive comprehensive support, both physically and emotionally, as you adapt to your new lifestyle following weight loss surgery.

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

Weight loss surgery, often referred to as bariatric surgery, offers significant improvements for individuals struggling with obesity. Whilst outcomes can vary depending on the type of procedure and individual factors, here is a general overview of what you can expect:

• Significant Weight Loss: Weight loss surgery typically results in substantial and sustained weight loss. You can expect to lose a considerable percentage of your excess body weight within the first year following the procedure. Most patients will maintain this weight loss in the medium to long term.
• Improvement or Resolution of Comorbidities: Many obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint pain, often improve or even resolve after weight loss surgery.
• Enhanced Quality of Life: Patients often experience improved mobility, increased energy levels, and enhanced self-esteem, contributing to an overall better quality of life.
• Long-term Success: Maintaining weight loss requires a commitment to dietary and lifestyle changes. With proper adherence to post-surgery guidelines, long-term success is achievable. Hunter Weight Loss and Upper GI are committed to helping you on your journey and supporting you long-term.

What to Expect In Weight Loss Surgery?

Understanding what to expect during and after the procedure and the recovery stages and associated risks is crucial when considering these options.

During Weight Loss Surgery Procedure

• Anaesthesia and Preparation: Before the surgery begins, you will be administered general anaesthesia, which will make you unconscious and ensure you don't feel pain during the procedure. The whole procedure will appear instantaneous, and you won’t even be aware that any time has passed. Once you are asleep, the surgical team will prepare you by cleaning and sterilising the surgical site.
• Choice of Surgery: Depending on your specific case and the recommendation of your healthcare team, one of several weight loss surgery options will be chosen. Common procedures include gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, ‘mini’ gastric bypass and duodenal switch procedures.
• Surgical Steps: The surgeon will perform the chosen procedure, which may involve creating a smaller stomach pouch and/or rerouting the digestive tract. The goal is to change food and calorie intake and modulate the hormones responsible for controlling body weight.
• Minimally Invasive Techniques: Almost all weight loss surgeries use minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic surgery), which involve small incisions, a camera (laparoscope), and specialised surgical instruments.

After Weight Loss Surgery Procedure

After the surgery is completed, you will be moved to a recovery room where medical staff will monitor your vital signs and ensure you wake up safely from anaesthesia.

You may experience some pain or discomfort after the surgery. Pain management techniques and medication will be provided to keep you comfortable.

Most patients spent 1-2 nights in hospital. Depending on your medical comorbidities, you may need to spend a night in HDU (High Dependency Unit for closer monitoring). During this time, you will receive postoperative care, including IV fluids and medication.

Recovery Stages after Weight Loss Surgery

• Liquid Diet: In the immediate postoperative phase, you will be on a clear liquid diet. Over time, you will progress to thicker liquids and then soft foods.
• Dietary Changes: A dietitian will work with you to establish a post-surgery diet plan. You must make permanent dietary changes, including portion control and nutrient-dense choices.
• Nutritional Supplements: You must take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of your life to prevent nutrient deficiencies.
• Psychological Support: Weight loss surgery can have emotional and psychological effects. Ongoing counselling or support groups can help you navigate these changes.
• Follow-up Appointments: Regular check-ups with your healthcare team are essential for monitoring your progress, adjusting your diet plan, and addressing complications.

Risks with Weight Loss Surgery

While weight loss surgery is highly effective and safe, all surgeries have risks. These risks and complications include:

• Infection
• Bleeding
• Blood Clots
• Leaks
• Nutritional Deficiencies
• Gallstones
• Body Image and Emotional Changes

Discussing these risks with your surgeon and carefully weighing the potential benefits against the possible complications when considering weight loss surgery is essential. A thorough understanding of the procedure and its implications is crucial for making an informed decision.