Pre-surgery expectations

If your team members recommend bariatric surgery, they will work with you to develop a treatment plan. This may include:

• Nutrition guidelines. The dietitian will help you with nutrition guidelines, vitamin supplements and menu planning. The guidelines include changes before and after surgery.
• Exercise plan. A nurse, occupational therapist or other specialist will help you learn appropriate exercises, develop an exercise plan and set goals.
• Weight loss. You may be encouraged or required to lose some weight through diet and exercise before you can have surgery.
• Psychotherapy. You may be required to begin talk therapy, drug treatment or other mental health therapy to treat an eating disorder, depression or other mental health condition. Your therapy may include developing new coping skills or addressing your concerns about body image or self-esteem.
• Smoking. If you smoke, you'll be asked to quit smoking or participate in a program to help you quit.
• Other treatments. You'll be expected to follow treatments for other medical conditions.

These requirements are intended to help you achieve the best possible weight-loss outcomes after surgery. Also, your ability to follow through on these plans will show your team how motivated you are to follow guidelines after surgery. Weight-loss surgery can be delayed or canceled if your health care team determines that:

• You're not psychologically or medically ready for surgery
• You haven't made appropriate changes in your eating or exercise habits
• You gained weight during the evaluation process