Initial Steps:
- Make an appointment: No referral needed! Call, email, or use the online form on our website (details on our Contact Us page).
- Pre-consultation preparation:
- Receive and review “Module 1 – Overview” about obesity and surgical options.
- Get a blood test (form provided) to check for deficiencies.
Initial Consultations:
- Consultation with Mr. Jon Morrow:
- Review your medical history and suitability for surgery.
- Discuss different surgical options and potentially schedule surgery.
- Appointments with dietitian and wellness coach will be scheduled.
- Meeting with dietitian:
- Receive “Module 2 – Dietetics” before your appointment.
- Discuss pre- and post-operative diet, including the pre-operative VLCD.
- Wellness coaching with Sherman Waitai-Cross:
- Receive “Module 3 – Wellness” beforehand.
- Discuss motivations, set goals, and receive a personalized fitness program.
- Learn how to use an incentive spirometer for post-surgery recovery.
Review and Surgery:
- If needed, further investigations or psychological assessment will be conducted before confirming surgery date.
- 2-4 weeks before surgery, start the VLCD with Optifast (or alternative).
- One week before surgery, receive hospital arrival time and pay the surgical package fee.
- Day before surgery, discuss anesthesia with Dr. Harper or Dr. Afsari.
Day of Surgery:
- Surgery takes place at either at Kakariki Hospital, or Endoscopy Auckland, Epsom, on Tuesday or Wednesday.
- Follow standard pre-surgery procedures in the admissions and pre-op area.
- Mr. Morrow and Dr. Adam Harper or Dr Mahnaz Afsari (anesthetist) will see you before surgery.
- The surgery will be performed under general anesthesia.
Recovery and Follow-Up:
- Wake up in the recovery room, then transfer to the ward after an hour.
- Gradually progress from fluids to soup broth to pureed foods as tolerated.
- Start using the incentive spirometer and begin gentle movement around the ward.
- Receive daily motivational text messages for the next 2 years.
- Day two, review with Mr. Morrow and discharge with medication prescriptions.
Post-Operative Follow-Up:
- Week one: Bariatric nurse specialist phone call, dressing removal, and first post-op review with Mr. Morrow.
- Week three: Dietitian review as you transition to a soft diet.
- Week four: Follow-up with Cecilia Westmacott. Resume normal activities gradually.
- First two years: Regular follow-up appointments with dietitian, wellness coach, bariatric nurse specialist, and psychologist (all included in package). Appointments can be in-person, virtual, or via phone.
- After two years: Lifelong monitoring for deficiencies and complications with your chosen healthcare provider.