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Frequently Asked Questions about Morbid Obesity, Gastric Bypass
Surgery, Gastric Banding and Weight Loss
General Questions about our Gastric Bypass weight loss program:
 What
is the youngest patient you can operate on?
What
is the oldest patient you can operate on?
What
are the routine tests before surgery?
What
is the purpose of all these tests?
Why
do I have to have a GI Evaluation?
Why
do I have to have a Sleep Study?
Why
do I have to have a Psychiatric Evaluation?
What is the youngest patient you can operate on?
We have performed surgery on patients as young as 16 years of age.
In this age group we are concerned that the patient make the decision
for surgery him- or her-self and that there is a full understanding
and commitment to the altered eating pattern which will be necessary
for success.
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What is the oldest patient you can operate upon?
In general we do not perform surgery on patients 65 years and older.
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What are the routine tests before surgery?
We always do certain tests: a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Urinalysis,
and a Chemistry Panel which gives us a readout of about 20 blood chemistry
values. Most people, except the very young, get a Chest X-ray and
an Electrocardiogram. We may do a gallbladder ultrasound to look for
gallstones and, on our female patients, a vaginal ultrasound to look
for abnormalities of the ovaries or uterus. Other tests which we frequently
order when indicated include Pulmonary Function Testing, Echocardiogram,
Sleep Studies, GI Evaluation, or Cardiology Evaluation.
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What is the purpose of all these tests?
Primarily, we need an accurate assessment of your health before undertaking
a big operation. The best way to treat a complication is to have the
advance knowledge that prevents it ever happening in the first place.
We want to know if your thyroid function is adequate (hypothyroidism
can lead to sudden death post-operatively), if you are diabetic (we
will have to take special steps to control your blood sugar), and
if your heart is sound (surgery increases cardiac stress). We look
for signs of liver malfunction, breathing difficulties, excess fluid
in the tissues, abnormalities of the salts and minerals in body fluids,
and abnormal blood fat levels.
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Why do I have to have a GI evaluation?
Patients who have significant gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms such
as upper abdominal pain, heartburn, and belching sour fluid may have
serious underlying problems such as a hiatal hernia, gastroesophageal
reflux, or a peptic ulcer. For example, many patients have symptoms
of reflux, and we know that up to 15% of such persons may have early
changes in the lining of the esophagus which could predispose to cancer.
It is important to identify these changes so a suitable surveillance
program can be planned for the future.
When our doctors detect GI symptoms on your preliminary evaluation,
we ask that you have an evaluation before surgery so we can take care
of them at the same time and avoid complicating surprises at surgery.
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Why do I have to have a sleep study?
The sleep study detects a tendency for abnormal cessation of breathing,
usually associated with airway obstruction when the muscles relax
during sleep. This condition is associated with a high mortality rate
just during ordinary living. After surgery you will be sedated and
will be receiving narcotics for pain, which also depress normal breathing
drive and reflexes. At that time, airway obstruction becomes even
more dangerous and we need to have a clear picture of what to expect
and how to handle it.
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Why do I have to have a psychiatric evaluation?
We do not believe that people with weight problems are crazy! It is
a requirement of many insurance plans, but even when it is not required,
we ask the psychotherapist to evaluate our patients for understanding
and knowledge of the life changes they will face and their ability
to follow the basic recovery plan. Very few people are disqualified
by the psych evaluation, it is usually painless, and it may be very
helpful to you in defining your goals and your decision.
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ObesitySolutions
1250 Jesse Jewell Parkway
Suite 300
Gainesville, Georgia 30501
Phone: 770-534-0110
Toll Free: 877-921-0110
Fax: 770-534-2555 |
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