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Getting bariatric surgery is a huge step towards achieving your long-term health and weight-loss goals. Patients may lose up to 60% of excess weight within 6 months of surgery and, on average, maintain 50% of their weight loss five years after surgery.
But have you ever wondered what the process is really like for a patient? For NYBG surgical patients, the experience is enhanced by the care and efficiency offered at their Ambulatory Surgical Centers. Bariatric surgery can seem daunting, which is why NYBG works to make the process as quick and easy-to-understand as possible. Here's a detailed look at what a typical day looks like when getting bariatric surgery, from check-in to heading home.
Check-in (10 Minutes)
From the moment you arrive for your bariatric surgery, you'll be greeted by our friendly staff and guided through the check-in process. This includes verifying insurance information and identification, and signing necessary authorization forms. This step sets the stage for a smooth and organized procedure day.
Pre-Op (1 Hour)
Next, you will meet with one of our Registered Nurses (RN). They will confirm your name and date of birth to ensure accurate identification. The RN will then bring you to the pre-op bay, making a quick stop by the bathroom if needed.
In the pre-op bay, you will change into a surgical gown. You’ll get set up with an IV, administering preoperative medications, and have your vitals taken. These steps are essential to prepare you for surgery and to monitor baseline health metrics.
Your surgeon will meet you next to go over procedure details and sign a consent form, answering any questions and making sure you understand and agree to the upcoming surgery. Next, you’ll meet your anesthesiologist. During this discussion, you will learn about the recovery processes and sign a consent form for anesthesia. An Operating Room (OR) nurse will also stop by and along with the anesthesia provider, will escort you to the operating room.
Operating Room (1 Hour)
Less than two hours from arriving at the ASC, it’s almost surgery time. In the operating room, the staff helps you onto the operating table, making sure you’re comfortable throughout. The anesthesia provider attaches monitor leads and administers medications.
Once you are asleep and intubated, a critical “time-out” is performed by the OR staff. This procedure involves a thorough review of your name, date of birth, the specific procedure being
performed, and the staff involved. This step is crucial for ensuring patient safety and accuracy. No detail is too minor.
Then the surgery takes place. After the operation, the anesthesia provider will gradually wake you up in preparation for the next phase: recovery.
Recovery (2 to 3 Hours)
Once you arrive in the recovery room, a recovery nurse will attach a cardiac monitor to closely observe your vital signs as you regain consciousness.
As you slowly wake up, the nurses will check to see how you are feeling and manage any pain or nausea with appropriate medications. You will continue to receive IV fluids to stay hydrated in the post-op period.
About 30 minutes after surgery, depending on how you are feeling, nurses will help you into a recliner and offer small sips of water. This gradual process is essential to avoid any sudden drops in blood pressure or dizziness.
As you become more stable, the nurses encourage light activity and will help you walk every 10 minutes. This helps to prevent complications such as blood clots and promotes faster recovery. During this time, the surgeon and anesthesia provider periodically check-in to evaluate your progress and address any questions or concerns.
Discharge (10 Minutes)
Once you meet all discharge criteria, the nurses review discharge instructions with you and the person bringing you home. This review includes guidelines for at-home care, medication instructions, and any signs of complications to watch for. Your IV will be removed and a dressing is applied to the surgical site.
You can change back into your regular clothes, and a nurse will assist you to your car by wheelchair. And just like that, you’re off!
Conclusion
NYBG provides patients with an efficient surgical experience filled with compassionate care from start to finish. Each step, from check-in to discharge, is meticulously planned to ensure patient safety, comfort, and optimal short- and long-term outcomes. This day-long journey is a pivotal moment for patients embarking on their weight loss journey and improving their overall health.
New York Bariatric Group: The Weight-Loss Leader
NYBG is the leader in comprehensive weight-loss solutions. We are a one-stop shop, offering long-term weight-loss surgery as well as medically-supervised weight loss with oral and injectable medications. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to losing weight. At NYBG, we work with you to customize a weight-loss program that will work best for you.
Oral and injectable weight-loss medications have been shown to be an effective short-term strategy, but the long-term effects and safety is still unknown. With our Medical Weight Loss Program, the ongoing supervision allows doctors to make necessary adjustments to a patient’s treatment plan based on their progress and changes to their health.
Weight-loss surgery is the only proven long-term weight-loss solution. With decades of research, patients have seen sustainable weight loss. We offer multiple weight-loss surgery procedures and our doctors will work with you to find the right option.
Our practice is the best around:
- Over 30 surgeons who are leaders in bariatrics, plastic surgery, and medical weight loss.
- 42,000 successful procedures performed with more being performed every day
- The #1 gastric balloon practice by volume – most balloons placed in the United States
- Access to online seminars, support groups, cooking demos, and Q-and-A sessions
- 100s of videos for patients explaining procedures, answering common questions, and showcasing previous patients
- Multiple offices located in three states; NY, NJ, CT
- Offering in-person and virtual consultations
- Since 2000, we boast over 23 years of success!
All of our hospitals are Metabolic Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program (MBSAQIP) accredited facilities, which is a prestigious designation bestowed upon only the top-quality bariatric programs.
Stop waiting; start achieving better health today. Together, we’ve got this!
