Weight Management

Bariatric Surgery

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The Bariatric Surgery Process

The first step in the bariatric surgery program is to attend one of our free information seminars. If you choose to undergo gastric-bypass, gastric-band surgery or gastric-sleeve weight-loss surgery at Christiana Care, you will be guided through a comprehensive process that has been developed to promote the best outcome for you, as well as provide for your comfort, emotional health and peace of mind.

Surgical evaluation

After attending the surgical seminar, you will schedule a surgical consultation with one of our surgeons of the Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery to see if you are a candidate for the surgery. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed information about the type of surgery you have selected.

Pre-surgery preparation

Your next step will be to meet with the bariatric team by scheduling an appointment with the Weight Management Center. A comprehensive medical assessment and psychological evaluation will be done, as well as medical clearance by our physician before your surgery is scheduled. In addition, you will be scheduled to attend our life-skills education classes to receive important information about dietary, exercise and lifestyle changes after surgery. Our bariatric nurse coordinator and case manager will review with you any other additional tests and consults that need to be done to prepare you for the surgical process.

We also offer a monthly nutrition and weight management class, let by our registered dietitian and exercise physiologist that you may enroll in to meet your specific insurance requirement.

While you are preparing for surgery, we encourage you to attend our bariatric surgery support group, which will give you an opportunity to meet and learn from people who already have undergone the surgery.

Surgery

Once all pre-operative requirements have been met, you will be scheduled for a surgical clearance with your surgeon and obtain approval from your insurance. On the day of your surgery, the surgeon that you have chosen will be the one in the operating room performing your surgery.

Follow-up

Follow-up appointments will be an essential part of your post-surgical care. Medical and nutrition follow-up appointments will focus on how you are recuperating from surgery and adjusting to eating changes. Our dietitians will provide you with sample food plans and menus that will ensure that you receive adequate nutrition to promote healing and maintain healthy body function.

About eight weeks after your surgery, you will begin to work regular exercise into your routine. You will be scheduled for an exercise assessment through our Exercise Services and an initial plan will be designed for you.

Weight Management Center
Eugene du Pont Preventive Medicine & Rehabilitation Institute
3506 Kennett Pike, Wilmington, DE 19807 directions
302-661-3475