Preoperative Period preparation period in bariatric surgery for morbid obesity is more comprehensive than in other surgical procedures of general surgery. In general, the preparation process is as follows:
1- First of all, your medical history is thoroughly reviewed by your doctor and a comprehensive evaluation process begins. The tests are started with a comprehensive blood analysis. The possible endocrinological causes of obesity are also investigated in blood tests (suppressed cortisol level and thyroid hormones) and, if necessary, an endocrinologist is consulted.
2- The endoscopic evaluation of the inside of the stomach is absolutely performed before the surgery. In the presence of a possible ulcer or polyp on the stomach’s incision line, the surgery is postponed after the treatment.
3- The cardiovascular system and the respiratory system, two most commonly affected systems by morbid obesity, are evaluated in detail before the surgery. Respiratory function tests are performed by a pulmonologist to assess lung capacity. Echocardiography is performed by a cardiologist to assess cardiac functions.
4- After all tests are completed; patients are evaluated and prepared for the surgery by an anaesthesiologist.
5- The night before the day of surgery, a blood thinner injection is administered and the patient is admitted to the hospital in the morning with at least 8 hours of fasting.
6- Besides all these, there is a special group in bariatric surgery for morbid obesity. We give a special diet program, called “shock diet” in the clinic I worked in the USA, 10 days before the surgery to patients with a body mass index of over 50 kg/m2 and especially to patients with fat in the waist region. By this means, liver fattening is reduced and the surgery is technically performed more easily