Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy

• Comprehensive Medical History
• Bariatric Surgeon evaluation
• Nutrition evaluation
• Psychological/Psychiatric evaluation
• Pre-anesthetic evaluation

• Before implementing a lifestyle program for weight management, patient's level of preparedness must be evaluated and identify patient’s blocks to change.
• An assessment of current and previous nutritional status is required as well as the eating patterns (type and timing), use of alternative medicine (supplements, herbs, vitamins) number and type of diets used.
• Shared decisions (health professional-patient) should always be made regarding the nutritional program and treatment goals.
• The most important dietary component for weight loss and maintenance is the reduction of caloric intake. Typically, a reduction of 500 to 1,000 kilocalories per day results in a loss of 0.5 to 1 kg of weight per week.

Together with a medical evaluation, a psycho-social evaluation is indicated in order to identify barriers for lifestyle changes and to identify associated conditions such as depression, anxiety, addictions and eating disorders, stress and high anxiety, lower quality of life, dissatisfaction with body image, as well as sexual and relationship problems and to work together to avoid them.

A comprehensive support program is required including the necessary diet, appropriate physical activity, education, behavioral therapy, and social support.

A complete nutritional evaluation  of the patient will be performed once he/she has been determined as a candidate for Bariatric Surgery.

The evaluation includes:

• Patient orientation.
• Medical History
• Family history of obesity, onset age of obesity, periods of peak growth, precipitating factors, comorbidities (diabetes mellitus, systemic arterial hypertension, lipid disorder, sleep apnea, joint disease), eating disorders, and other secondary causes of obesity.
• Height, weight, abdominal circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and vital signs.
• Eating patterns, habits (physical activity, smoking, alcoholism, use of alternative medicine) nutritional status and body weight behavior.
• Body Mass Index (BMI)
• Pharmacological and non-pharmacological treatment schemes review.

Before Surgery

• Full blood biometry
• Plasma fasting glucose level
• Glycated hemoglobin (in diabetic patients)
• Liver function test
• Coagulation times
• Serum electrolytes
• Complete lipid panel
• Female pregnancy test
• Thyroid profile (suspected or diagnosed thyroid dysfunction)
• Chest X-rays
• Resting EKG

In women

• The risk of pregnancy should be minimized for a 12-month period prior to surgical procedure.
• Discontinue the use of estrogens before bariatric surgery in order to reduce the risk of post-operative thromboembolic events.

For patients with an increased risk of arterial or venous thrombosis

• Make a proper diagnostic evaluation of risk factors for thrombosis.

Others

• Patients with intrinsic lung disease or sleep pattern disturbances should have a formal lung evaluation, including arterial gas measurement and polysomnography.
• In patients with well-founded suspicion of liver disease, an abdominal ultrasound is recommended, request a hepatitis viral panel, and explore the presence of cirrhosis and portal hypertension.
• Do a pre- and post-surgery renal function evaluation in patients with diabetes and systemic arterial hypertension.
• Consult with the Doctor. This wiil depend on each patient.

• Weight > 200kg
• Major psychiatric disease or bulimia nervosa
• Unstable coronary disease
• Portal hypertension
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Chronic pancreatitis
• Cirrhosis or other conditions that may compromise or increase the anesthetic risk
• Congenital abnormalities of the gastrointestinal tract
• Current pregnancy
• Multiple abdominal surgeries
• Complicated incisional hernias
• Endocrine disorder that explains the cause of obesity.

• Bariatric Procedure Consent
• Anesthesia Consent
• Severe underlying disease that limits life expectancy and will not improve with weight loss (neoplasm, symptomatic heart disease, end-stage renal failure, and liver failure)
• Alcohol and substance abuse

• The purpose of pre-anesthetic assessment is to reduce patient morbidity and mortality.
• We recommend researching problems related to the airway, history of obstructive sleep apnea, gastroesophageal reflux, anatomical alterations of the neck, pharynx and chest that make tracheal intubation difficult.
• A 30-degree inverted Trendelenburg position prolongs the ability in morbidly obese patients to tolerate apnea during induction and emergency anesthesia.

• Thoroughly fill-out your medical history.
• Let your doctor if you are allergic to any medication or substance, if you are diabetic, hypertensive or have any other disease.
• Suspend or take the medication your doctor indicates (anticoagulant, antiplatelet, anti-inflammatory)
• Have all pre-surgery examinations as directed by the multidisciplinary team.
• Stop smoking and do not ingest alcohol as directed by your doctor.
• If you have a beard, the recommendation is to shave 24 hours before surgery.
• Shower with soap and shampoo for daily use, do not apply deodorants, creams or perfumes to any area of the body. The face must be clean, with no traces of makeup.  Nails should be short, clean and free of nail polish or acrylic.
• Fast for 8 hours before surgery (to fast means NOT drinking or eating anything).
• Carefully read the Informed Consent documents provided by the Surgeon and Anesthesiologist, COMPLETE AND SIGN THEM.
• With an official identification, go to patient services on the day and time scheduled for you.
• Bring preoperative tests  (labs, x-rays, etc.) with you.

* The best time to have surgery is when you have all family, work or other commitments covered. Family or friends’ support is  essential. Come with a family member or companion.

Important: Have a clear objective and make the commitment to yourself; the team will be with you in every step.

For the patient: 2 complete changes of comfortable clothes, (consider clothes you will need to leave the hospital with, preferably something easy to wear and with buttons), slippers, tennis shoes and sandals, comfortable underwear, two gowns with buttons at the front (the hospital will provide gowns), toiletry bag (toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, etc.), mobile phone charger, do not forget your eyeglasses in case you use them. 

For the accompanying person

: 3 changes of comfortable clothes and underwear, slippers, tennis shoes and sandals, two pajamas, toiletry bag (toothbrush, shampoo, etc.), mobile phone charger, do not forget your eyeglasses in case you use them. 

• Come to the hospital with comfortable shoes and clothes, no make-up and no accessories.
• Fast 8 hours or as  requested by your doctor in the preoperative instructions’ prescription.
• 2-4 hours in the operating room. 
• General anesthesia

• Take all medications as directed.
• The patient will be on a 15-day liquid diet. Given that you have a low-calorie diet it is possible that you will show some weakness the first few days. During this period of time, it is crucial to stay hydrated. Strictly follow the indications of the liquid diet; a soft diet until you can eat solid foods in the periods indicated by the doctor.
• We recommend no sunbathing for three months.
• Take care of your scars as directed by your doctor.
• You can shower the day following surgery taking care of the incisions; tap and pat dry gently.
• If you have a drainage, empty and clean it as indicated by your doctor.
• Do not apply any lotion, oil, or cream that has not been prescribed by your doctor until your incisions have healed completely.
• For at least three weeks, do not lift, push or pull anything that weighs over 10 pounds or 4.5 kg.
• Do not drive until you have stopped taking medication or until your doctor says you can do so.
• Avoid swimming, soaking in a hot tub or jacuzzi until your doctor says you can do so.
• Try to wear comfortable clothes.
• Do not smoke nor drink alcohol (ask your doctor about the required post-op time.)
• You exercise lightly in 8 weeks. No forceful exercise for 10-12 weeks after surgery. Check with your doctor. It’s important to keep permanent physical activity, to walk during the first month after surgery and then go to the gym for progressive fitness.
•  Exercise 3 to 5 times a week in order to keep the weight you want and improve your quality of life.
• Take dietary supplements (if advised by your doctor.)
• Have post-surgical doctor appointments with a list of questions so important details are not forgotten.
• Be responsible taking care of yourself implementing healthy habits and think "New you- New life- new style."
• To have your progress evaluated, you must visit your doctor or consult through telemedicine.
• Metabolic/Nutritional Monitoring Plan - See a nutritionist who can help plan complete meals that give the necessary nutrients and are healthy. Write observations about your meals and weight in your calendar. You can download apps to help you stay in balance.

We have special offers for you

We have special offers for you