Four strategies for a better bariatric and metabolic surgery and its recovery
Having bariatric and metabolic surgery is for many the most important event of their life, and as I always say, the best results in surgery are achieved when a good surgeon treats a good patient; now that you have chosen your surgeon, be sure to do as good patients do before surgery. The following describes four strategies you can apply before surgery to actively participate in the good results of your surgery and recovery. I can assure you, we like good patients as much as patients like good doctors.
1. Prepare your stomach
Laparoscopic bariatric and metabolic surgery is minimally invasive on the outside, yet a major surgery on the inside; you will see small incisions on your skin, still, your stomach and parts of the small intestine will require longer ones to perform your surgery.
A good number of patients who qualify for bariatric and metabolic surgery have commonly irritated their stomach in many ways, with many foods, for many years.
The moment you are scheduled for surgery is the right one to put your stomach at rest by cutting irritants such as caffeine, alcohol, spicy food, highly processed food, and smoking. Keep in mind that after surgery your stomach will be much smaller and all of the aforementioned are irritants that you have to cut anyhow.
2. Improve your cardiovascular system
Understanding that patients who qualify for surgery may not have the habit of exercising, don’t try going from zero to professional before surgery. Still, you can improve the condition of your cardiovascular system by practicing mild intensity aerobic exercise routines, such as walking, fast walking, elliptical machine, stationary bicycle, and hiking; by doing so you lower the risk of blood clotting.
Activities like swimming, running, and riding real bicycles may get you tired before you have the circulatory effect that we are trying to achieve, save those for later. As a side effect of getting active, your mood will also improve, it is hard to feel depressed, anxious or in a bad mood after a good aerobic exercise sweat.
3. Reduce the size of your liver
The liver is the biggest gland of your body; it lies over the stomach during surgery. A big liver obstructs visibility even to experienced surgeons.
Your liver is a laboratory, factory, storage unit, and cleansing unit for your body; like any of these, it grows as its demands increase. Candidates for bariatric and metabolic surgery have larger than average livers and the higher their BMI, the bigger their liver may be.
Reducing its size is possible by following your surgeon’s pre-operative dietary guidelines. It is a non-verbal way of saying, dear doctor; I’m on your side.
4. Increase your lung capacity
By doing so, you may experience better recovery and less pulmonary symptoms. Following strategy number two is the first step for doing so, and according to our anesthesiologist staff guidelines, you can also improve it by lowering or even cutting smoking or vaping 15 days before your surgery; we understand it’s hard, but these are the facts and benefits in their experience.
The American Lung Association confirms that tobacco and marijuana smoking contain toxins that irritate lungs; vape is too an irritant to bronchi, –“it is not only water vapor, it is also a bundle of cheap chemicals” says NUBARICS® anesthesiologist Dr. Carlos Valencia.
At NUBARICS® we don’t just help people lose weight. We put them in a path to a healthier, happier life.
Call today:
1.619.573.4667 | 1.855.700.2522
Dr. Gabriel Gutierrez
NUBARICS® pre- and post-operative support coordinator