Team Approach
Most bariatric surgeons and insurance providers recommend and support a team approach to bariatric surgery. MUSC's Team Approach consists of four components:

• medical
• nutritional
• psychological
• surgical

This multidisciplinary team evaluates the patient before surgery and provides education and treatment after surgery. This team delivers medical, nutritional, and psychological care, and looks at lifestyle changes following surgery.

Most bariatric programs require that patients participate in support groups before surgery. This group setting is helpful for patients before surgery, as they discuss their concerns and hear from other patients who have gone through bariatric surgery.

Selecting a Procedure
After you have completed the presurgery medical, nutritional, and psychological evaluations and have adequate metabolic control, your bariatric surgeon will discuss the benefits and risks of the different surgical procedures, and together you will choose the most appropriate surgery for you. Once you and your bariatric surgeon have agreed upon a procedure, your next step will be to set a date. Learn more about the day of surgery here. 

What Can I Do to Prepare?
Bariatric surgery is like other major surgeries. You can best prepare by knowing the benefits and risks of surgery and by closely following your doctor's instructions.

To mentally prepare yourself:

• Understand the surgical process and what to expect afterward.
• Keep in mind that you’ll never be able to eat the way you did before, and that you’ll have to watch the way you eat for the rest of your life.
• Talk to people who have had bariatric surgery. You can hear the stories of other patients in the Voices of Experience section.
• Write a letter to yourself and your bariatric surgeon explaining your reasons for having bariatric surgery and outlining your plans to maintain your weight loss after surgery.
• Start a journal. Record how you feel now, the challenges you face, and the things you hope to be able to do after bariatric surgery.
• Get a letter of support from your family. It helps to know you have people behind you, waiting to help.

To prepare yourself physically, follow the guidelines that your doctor will give you. The guidelines will be based upon your procedure, your personal profile, and other factors. You want to ensure your best outcome, and the guidelines will help you accomplish that.