Author: John Busch

SMS – Baria-E-041 Post-bariatric reconstructive surgery

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

If you have experienced significant weight loss after bariatric surgery, you may be left with excess skin in certain areas of your body. Some bariatric surgery patients opt for reconstructive surgery to remove this loose skin.

Plastic surgeons use contouring techniques such as tummy tuck and body lift to remove post-bariatric excess skin. These procedures have proven successful in refining the patient’s body and helping them enjoy everyday activities to the fullest.

To qualify for post-bariatric reconstructive surgery, patients must meet certain health requirements. Ask your GP or surgeon if you are a good candidate. If you are not, try to find out what you can do to improve your health status in order to qualify.

Criteria for reconstructive surgery:

Good general health status
At least 1.5-2 years after bariatric surgery

Weight loss has been concluded for at least 6 months

BMI of 25 or lower – to ensure better short-, mid- and long-term results
No vitamin/mineral deficiency
No smoking – promotes better healing of scar tissue
No active pregnancy, no pregnancy planned for the next 2-3 years
Stable diet and regular exercise
Realistic expectations

Many people want to know if their health insurance or public health system will cover the cost of post-bariatric reconstructive surgery. Some procedures are covered, while others are not.

With the exception of certain types of breast reduction surgery, post-bariatric reconstructive surgery is usually performed by private clinics. The patient should check the health insurance provider to find out their level of cover. The best approach is to cross-check cover with item numbers. Some private clinics only offer limited no-excess reconstructive surgery. We provide limited abdominal reconstruction procedures.

Tags Baria-E-41, My condition, Treatment and management

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SMS – Baria-E-039 My pathway after surgery

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

A healthy new you awaits

During the first 6 months after surgery, it will be very important to follow the instructions of your health care team to the letter. Your team will prescribe a post-operative nutrition protocol, vitamin and mineral supplements and a physical activity programme. You will also need to attend several follow-up visits with your health care specialists. Get Ready will keep you on top of everything you need to remember during your short-term follow-up.

Don’t hesitate to contact your health care team

If you have any doubts about how to follow your post-surgery instructions, do not hesitate to contact your health care team. If you need psychological or peer support, do not hesitate to reach out to the relevant resources. For more information, contact your bariatric clinic. During the short-term follow-up phase, Get Ready will ask you to complete some questionnaires that will help your health care team better serve you.

Tags Baria-E-39, Follow-up, My pathway

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SMS – Baria-E-034 What to pack for my hospital stay?

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

The following is a list of items you might consider packing in order to make your stay in hospital easier and more comfortable:

Paperwork: insurance card/information, completed health care proxy form, identity card
List of allergies
Contact information: An emergency contact number plus phone numbers of any physicians, family and friends you might need to contact
Medications: be sure to pack all medications you are taking in their original packaging, as well as your medication list and prescriptions (dosage and how often you take them)
Toiletries: soap, shampoo, deodorant, toothbrush, toothpaste, comb/brush, shaving kit, hand lotion, cosmetics etc.
Clothes and footwear: loose-fitting clothes such as tracksuit bottoms or jogging bottoms, jogging top, jumper or perhaps a cosy cardigan, t-shirts, pyjamas, bathrobe, slippers
Eyeglasses (not contact lenses)
Any assistive devices you use (walker, cane, etc.)
Prostheses, dentures, hearing aids and similar items

Bring only items that are completely necessary. Leave all valuables and personal items like jewellery, large amounts of cash or credit cards at home. Bring only a small amount of cash for purchasing newspapers, television access, etc. The hospital is not responsible for loss or theft of any personal belongings.

Your clinic will provide additional advice for your stay in hospital.

Tags Baria-E-34, Hospitalization, My pathway

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SMS – Baria-E-032 Specialist consultations before surgery

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

The preparation journey

Bariatric surgery requires extensive preparation to ensure you are physically and mentally ready for the dramatic lifestyle change you are planning to undergo.

During the preparation phase, you will meet several specialists who will assess various aspects of your health. This is both to validate that bariatric surgery is the right option for you and, if so, to optimise your health prior to surgery.

Here is a list of some of the assessments required. Please note that each bariatric centre will follow its own protocol. Speak to your specialist for more information about pre-surgery assessments.

Respiratory medicine assessment and consultation

Respiratory diseases are common in connection with obesity and your team will advise if tests are required. The higher the BMI, the more common they are.
Respiratory testing investigates three obesity-related issues:
- Sleep apnoea syndrome (SAS): Patients with sleep apnoea are at higher risk of anaesthesia-related complications. You may be required to wear a special device at night.
- Respiratory failure
- Asthma
The respiratory medicine consultation will consist of testing for these three issues by means of:
- A history assessment and pulmonary examination
- A Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) – breathing test
- A blood gas measurement – a measurement of the amount of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the blood, done by pricking an artery in the wrist
- A polysomnography – testing for sleep apnoea syndrome

Cardiology assessment and consultation

The two objectives of the cardiology consultation are:

To assess or detect any diseases associated with obesity: high blood pressure, coronary diseases (infarction, angina pectoris) and vascular diseases (damage to the vessels of the neck and the lower limbs)
To guide the anaesthesiologist to assess surgical risk

The cardiology consultation includes:

A history assessment and clinical examination
An electrocardiogram
An ultrasound
A test for ischemia is sometimes conducted – this is a non-invasive screening for coronary diseases (infarction or angina pectoris) by means of a stress test (on a bicycle or treadmill) or by means of a stress scintigraphy or ultrasound imaging

Endocrinology assessment and consultation

The four objectives of the endocrinology consultation are:

To rule out a hormonal cause of obesity that should be treated before considering surgery
To assess or detect possible high cholesterol in the blood
To assess or detect possible diabetes and adapt the treatment to reduce the risk of high blood sugar in the peri-operative period (the period around the time of surgery)
To prepare a plan for monitoring and treating diabetes beyond the surgical procedure (there will be a need to adjust treatment)

Dietetic assessment

The dietetic assessment comprises:

A dietary diagnosis
The development of personalised educational information

A dietician or nutritionist will assess your dietary profile to help you adjust and balance your diet and to set up the first preoperative counselling sessions.

Specifically, they will be assessing for possible eating disorders that require treatment to help you modify your habits before surgery. These modifications are important for the success of the surgery.

Some patients may be required to lose some weight before surgery to make the procedure safer and the recovery easier.

Psychological assessment and consultation

The psychological assessment:

Assesses your motivation, your ability to implement the necessary behavioural changes and your ability to adhere to the long-term postoperative follow-up programme.
Identifies contraindications for surgery, such as a serious eating disorder, which can have a dangerous impact on bariatric surgery.
Proposes additional behavioural management of any psychological problems identified before surgery. Psychotherapy may be prescribed before and after the procedure.

Digestive assessment

A digestive assessment aims to:

Diagnose and evaluate the state of the stomach by means of a gastro-duodenal fibroscopy using a tiny camera called an endoscope. This procedure looks for the presence of a hiatal hernia, acid reflux and its consequences, or ulcers. In this of an ulcer, a biopsy will be carried out to look for the presence of a bacteria called Helicobacter pylori, which may be causing the ulcer and must be treated before surgery.
Diagnose and assess the condition of the liver, which often has excess fat. This examination is done by means of an ultrasound and blood test.

Pre-anaesthesia consultation

A thorough medical examination is carried out by an anaesthetist or by a bariatric physician who will liaise with the anaesthetist. This exam gives your healthcare team a better understanding of who you are and your medical and surgical history. It determines which medications you should take, if any.

You will be required to bring to the consultation the results of all the assessments that were prescribed for you.

The anaesthetist will consider all of the results and decide if there are any contraindications for the procedure that is anything indicating that you shouldn’t have the procedure and whether they are temporary or permanent.

If the assessment is incomplete, additional testing may be prescribed for you, such as an electrocardiogram, blood and urine tests and a dental examination. You must bring the results of these tests to the clinic on the day of your surgery.

At this consultation, the type of anaesthesia selected according to your health condition and the surgical procedure will be explained to you. In addition, you may be offered stress management techniques, such as hypnosis and relaxation.

The anaesthetist will explain to you how the procedure and the postoperative follow-up will be carried out (with respect to your personal treatment).

You will also be informed whether a blood transfusion will be necessary.

Please make sure to ask your anaesthetist any other questions you may have.

Tags Baria-E-32, My pathway, Preparation

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SMS – Baria-E-029 My preparation journey

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

During the important months leading up to your surgery, it is imperative that you gain an understanding of what bariatric surgery means for your health and for your quality of life, and how you can best prepare for it. Day by day, you will be gathering new information about preparing your body for surgery while incrementally changing your eating and exercise habits.

Your digital patient engagement programme will help you prepare for your hospitalisation and surgery, guiding you through the information you need to know.

If you aren’t fully committed to following the instructions of your health care team and changing your eating and exercise habits, there is a serious risk that your surgery will not lead to weight loss. Therefore, from the moment you learn you are qualified for surgery, you should begin living a healthier lifestyle, including eating healthier, being more active and reducing alcohol consumption and smoking. (As the procedure draws closer, you will need to stop drinking alcohol and smoking completely.) Not only will this prepare you for a successful surgery and recovery, it will also be the beginning of a whole new, healthier lifestyle.

Tags Baria-E-29, My pathway, Preparation

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SMS – Baria-E-028 My hospitalization

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

Once all the preliminary paperwork has been done by the administrative staff, you will be admitted to your allocated ward. A surgical nurse will check you in and go through the preparations. There will be a period of waiting until your turn comes. It is very hard to time all the logistics perfectly. Regrettably, sometimes the wait time for your turn to the theatre can be substantial. When the operating theatre is ready, you will be checked in by the theatre staff, and the anaesthetist, making sure that all is ready for your surgery.

You will have line/canula inserted into a vein and oxygen administered by mask. This is also when you will have some medicine to help you relax and to get you ready for the anaesthetic. This will usually be the last thing you remember until your surgery is over and you wake up from the anaesthetic in the recovery ward. Once you are fully recovered and stable, you will be taken to the surgical ward for further observation.

Surgical nurses will look after you, making sure that you have enough pain relief and that all your observations are within normal and acceptable levels. Your surgeon will see you on a daily basis or more frequently, if needed. Once you able to tolerate fluids and you are stable, you may be discharged and your full diet progression plans, pain relief and routine medication management will be discussed.

Tags Baria-E-28

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SMS – Baria-E-027 My weight loss journey post-surgery

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

Bariatric surgery will impact your daily life – for the rest of your life. You will always need to pursue a healthy lifestyle.

‘The honeymoon phase’

In the first few months after your surgery, it may seem easy to follow the recommendations of your health care team. You won’t be very hungry, you will eat very small amounts of food, you may struggle to meet your daily food-intake requirements and you will have frequent contact with your health care team. During this period, it may seem like the weight is just melting away. Many people refer to the first year after surgery as the ‘honeymoon phase’.

Unfortunately, the honeymoon doesn’t last forever …

Things may seem different as you reach the one-year mark. Typically, after the first year, hunger returns a bit, food volumes increase, and it can be trickier to stay on track. Your diet is very important throughout your journey, but some argue that it is even more important as you reach the one-year mark. Adhering to the diet prescribed by your nutritionist in the long-term is critical to achieving lifelong weight loss.

Tags Baria-E-27, Follow-up, My pathway

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SMS – Baria-E-025 Post-op nutrition protocol: general suggestions

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

During your hospitalisation, your healthcare team explained to you about the nutrition programme you will need to follow, both in the coming months and for the rest of your life. Adhering to this programme is the key to weight loss success. It’s important that you stick to the programme to ensure that you get the right nutrients and to avoid possible adverse effects.

Your patient engagement programme will keep track of everything you need to remember. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact your healthcare team.

Here are some helpful tips for modifying your behaviour to keep you on the path to better health.

Eat very slowly – an easy trick is to put your fork down between each bite.
Chew thoroughly – this is very important to prevent food from blocking the stomach opening.
Set aside more time for meals – up to 45 minutes to eat a small amount.
Stop eating as soon as you feel full. Do not force yourself to finish a portion or exceed the amount tolerated by your stomach.
Drink fluids regularly between meals – at least 2 litres per day. Stop drinking 30 minutes before starting a meal and resume 30 minutes after finishing a meal.
The carbonation in soft drinks and sparkling water can upset your stomach. Plain water or warm tea are best. Or add fruit slices or some mint for a bit of flavour.
Avoid alcohol for the first six months after surgery, especially carbonated drinks and sugary mixes.
Eat 6 to 7 small meals throughout the day, making sure to plan snacks between the main meals.
Never skip a meal.
Avoid all things sweet: sugar, honey, sweets, chocolate, jam, fruit pastes, sweet compotes, cookies, fruit syrups, commercial desserts, industrial beverages, ice cream, etc.
Avoid hidden fats: pastries, popcorn, crisps, French fries, etc.
Avoid high-fat foods even those generally considered healthy: mayonnaise, cream, bacon, cold cuts, dried fruits, avocado, olives, etc.
Avoid raw, crunchy vegetables (carrots, celery, etc.) in large quantities as they can easily block the stomach opening.

Tags Baria-E-25, My lifestyle, Nutrition

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SMS – Baria-E-024 Nutrition plan after surgery

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

LOCAL INPUT: Hospital specific nutritional plan

Tags Baria-E-24, My lifestyle, Nutrition

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SMS – Baria-E-023 Smart healthy shopping

Post author By John Busch
Post date September 17, 2021

Good nutrition starts with smart choices in the grocery store. Cooking healthy meals is a challenge if you don’t have the right ingredients in your kitchen, but sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly what to buy at the supermarket. With a little guidance, healthy choices are easy to find in any supermarket.

Aim for variety
Most of us tend to eat the same foods over and over again. But variety really is the spice of life – and the cornerstone of good health. The Food Pyramid shows you how you can vary your foods in a way that ensures good nutrition.

Planning your grocery list
When planning your grocery list, consult the guidelines of the Food Pyramid (put the link to the module with food pyramid) and reach out to your dietitian for advice on which products to include and which to potentially avoid. Here are some shopping tips to help ensure your kitchen is stocked with the right ingredients.

The process starts before you leave for the grocery store. Before you set out for the market, plan your meals for the week and create a list based on this. It takes a few minutes but helps you to concentrate on the healthy foods you need to buy.
Do not go to the supermarket hungry. When you do, you put yourself at risk of buying snack foods including the sugary and salty processed foods you would not normally buy. You will also likely spend more money than you had planned to.
Try to stay in the area of the supermarket where you’ll find the fresh products, lean proteins (eggs, low-fat dairy, chicken breast, fish, etc.) and other important fresh items for a healthy lifestyle. Avoid going to the areas full of tempting foods like soda, candy and chips.
Fruits and vegetables: Choose a rainbow of colourful fruits and vegetables. The colours reflect the different vitamin, mineral, and phytonutrient content of each fruit or vegetable.
Breads, cereals and pasta: Choose the least processed whole-wheat breads and pastas, brown rice, grain mixes, quinoa, bulgur, and barley.
Meat, fish and poultry: Be sure to choose lean cuts of meat (round, top sirloin, and tenderloin), opt for skinless poultry, and watch your portion sizes. Remember to include fish – the American Heart Association recommends two servings of fish a week.
Dairy: Dairy foods are an excellent source of bone-building calcium and vitamin D. There are plenty of low-fat and non-fat options.
Canned and dried foods: Keep a variety of canned vegetables, fruits, and beans on hand to toss into soups, salads, pasta, or rice dishes. Whenever possible, choose vegetables without added salt, and fruit packed in juice. Tuna packed in water, low-fat soups, nut butters, olive and canola oils, and assorted vinegars should be in every healthy pantry.