Pre-Operative Consults, Labs and Studies

The pre-operative workup required for those individuals considering surgery may be extensive. The program is designed to obtain data preoperatively to identify and minimize any intraoperative or postoperative risk factors. This data is also used for long term follow-up care once you have been discharged from the hospital. Your first appointment will be with the Bariatric Physician Assistant or Bariatric Surgeon (Baton Rouge). During this visit an extensive history and assessment will be done to determine what type of studies and consults will be needed. Some studies are routinely done on all bariatric patients while others are based on one’s history and assessment and previous studies from other physicians. Another person you will visit with early in the process is the nutritionist. She will want to do a dietary assessment and begin working on a nutritional plan with you. This may include a pre-operative weight loss plan designed especially for you. She will also begin reviewing the life-long changes that will be necessary for you to be successful with a gastric bypass and determine from a nutritional aspect whether you would be a candidate for the surgery. During the initial visit, an appointment will also be made for you to meet with one of our behavioral health specialists. All of the individuals you meet with during this visit will be available for future appointments before or after surgery.