Before Weight Loss Surgery
Prior to booking a consult with surgeon, patients should attend one of our new patient information sessions, offered online or virtually. This session reviews a number of important topics – including details about our available procedures, insurance requirements and fees, and pre and post-op care.
To help you have the safest and most successful outcome after surgery, you will need to attend several pre-operative appointments. We know your life is busy so we do our best to make your appointment schedule as simple as possible and many appointments can be done virtually. The number of appointments needed vary by case and can be more or less based on complexity. On average though, a patient can expect:
- 2 or more appointments with the surgical team to discuss your medical history and surgical options
- 2 or more appointments with a dietitian to discuss pre and post-op nutritional plans, as well as long-term nutritional strategies for success
- 1 appointment with a psychologist to review common psychological barriers to weight loss, as well as long-term strategies for success
To schedule appointments, please call our New Patient Coordinator at 617-525-3597.
Pre-Surgery Patient Resources
- The Patient Care Guide
- The guide contains detailed information about what to expect before surgery and during your hospital stay. You will receive a copy at the first appointment with your surgeon.
- Pre-Operative Diet
- All patients will start a pre-operative diet 2 weeks before surgery. The diet will be reviewed with you in advance and you can find it on our Nutrition Resources If you have questions about the diet, please call the dietitians at 617-732-8884.
- Pre-Operative Weight Loss Reduction Classes (POWR)
- Some insurance plans require POWR attendance prior to surgery. If your plan requires this, our team will provide the necessary information needed to fulfill this requirement.
- Bariatric Forum
- We encourage you to attend these meetings that are both in person and through Zoom. The Bariatric Forum brings patients together to share experiences and provide support for each other. Sometimes we have discussion topics, such as plastic surgery, behavioral challenges, healthy cooking, and eating strategies. Groups are free of charge and registration is required only for in person meetings.
After Weight Loss Surgery
Bariatric surgery requires a lifelong commitment to a healthy lifestyle and that includes appointments with your bariatric team. Here is the appointment schedule for after surgery:
- 2-3 weeks: Meet with surgeon or physician assistant and dietitian (small group)
- 6 weeks: Virtually meet with surgeon or physician assistant, psychologist (small group), and dietitian (optional)
- 3 months: Meet with surgeon or physician assistant and dietitian
- 6 months: Meet with surgeon or physician assistant, psychologist (small group), and dietitian
- 9 months: Virtually meet with surgeon or physician assistant and dietitian
- 1 year: Meet with surgeon or physician assistant and dietitian
- After 1 year: Meet with surgeon or physician assistant and dietitian twice per year (every 6 months)
- After 2 years: Meet with dietitian twice per year (every 6 months), and meet with surgeon or physician assistant once per year (annually)
- Gastric band patients will be seen more often by both the surgeon and dietitian after surgery for band adjustments or fills. Band patients may be seen every 4 to 6 weeks after surgery.
You are welcome to schedule additional appointments as needed. Call your surgeon’s administrative assistant to schedule appointments.
Post-Surgery Patient Resources
- Medical Questions
- The physician assistant (PA) phone line is open during office hours at 617-732-8882
- Diet and Nutrition Questions
- Visit our resources page for more information about the postoperative diet.
- The dietitian phone line is also open during office hours at 617-732-8884.
- Bariatric Forum
- We encourage you to attend these meetings that are both in person and through Zoom. The Bariatric Forum brings patients together to share experiences and provide support for each other. Sometimes we have discussion topics, such as plastic surgery, behavioral challenges, healthy cooking, and eating strategies. Groups are free of charge and registration is required only for in person meetings.
- Post-Operative Behavioral Support Group
- Our psychologists hold behavioral support groups. All patients will attend a group 6-8 weeks after surgery. They also hold groups for patients further out from surgery. You must register for these groups in advance and you may have a co-pay depending on your insurance company. To register, call our New Patient Coordinator at 617-732-6960
- Care Coordination with Plastic Surgeons
- Any major weight loss – whether it comes from diet and exercise or surgery – can result in having loose or excess skin. For patients interested in the removal of excess skin (panniculectomy) after surgery, we can work to coordinate care with the Brigham and Women’s Division of Plastic Surgery (opens on the Brigham and Women's Hospital website). This world-renowned team has extensive experience in working with patients who have recently gone through major weight loss.
