Getting Started
 Once
an individual has decided to pursue bariatric
surgery at Penn, it is important to become well
educated about the procedure and what life will
be like following surgery. This can be accomplished
by reading books about bariatric surgery, attending
support group meetings, and reading research
articles.
The next step is to make an initial appointment
with the surgeon and the bariatric team. Following
the initial appointment, patients will attend
both a nutrition class and a psychology screening.
A letter will be generated to the insurance company
to obtain insurance approval for the operation.
This process can take a few weeks to months, depending
on the insurance company.
Once insurance approval is obtained, patients
will be scheduled for surgery. They will need
to attend the pre-operative visit (two weeks before
surgery), to have an updated physical exam and
undergo pre-operative testing including lab work,
an EKG, and a chest x-ray.
Following the pre-operative visit, patients should
purchase vitamins, minerals and nutrition supplements
that will be needed after surgery.
|
