Bariatric surgery: assessments and clinics

This is an in-person clinic and will be your first appointment in the service.

You will have one-to-one consultations with a specialist nurse and dietitian or nutritionist.

You will be asked to complete some questionnaires to help us understand your needs, and to work towards preparing for bariatric surgery if this is suitable.

You will be asked questions about your diet and to explore changes to make in preparation for the operation.

You will also be asked questions about your medical history and mental health for us to understand your individual needs. 

During your medical assessment appointment, you will likely set some dietary goals to work towards in preparation for bariatric surgery. 

We will schedule in some review appointments where we can discuss your progress with these goals and potentially set some more.

We will provide behavioural change support and offer practical advice to support your dietary goals.

As part of your time with us before surgery, you may be invited to have an appointment with our bariatric psychologist.

This will last for around 45-50 minutes and can be by phone, video, or in person at Derby Royal Hospital if you prefer.

In the appointment the bariatric psychologist will ask you about:

• your experiences of weight management, habits, and emotions around food, stress and coping.
  
  
• your mental and physical health and the support you have in place.
  
  
• your hopes and expectations about weight loss surgery and body changes.
  
  
• your thoughts and plans for making healthy changes after surgery.
  
  
• challenges that you might be worried about.
  
  
• who can support you before, during, and after surgery.

The bariatric psychologist can then:

• offer strategies to stay motivated and manage challenges, including some videos to watch or things to read.
  
  
• put you in touch with a specialist team for support before or alongside your surgery.
  
  
• talk with the Mental Health team, or other team you’re already linked in with, to make sure we’re giving you joined up care.
  
  
• talk with other members of the Bariatric team to help them have a holistic view of you as a person and anything they need to know to keep you safe.

People tell us that their appointment with the bariatric psychologist helped them to feel confident and supported, get ‘mentally ready’ for surgery, and make healthy changes that stick long-term.

Your assessment for surgery (BARTS Clinic)

This appointment is designed to make sure you have everything you need to move safely towards surgery. It also helps us to check that all the necessary information is complete.

You must watch our surgery education video before this appointment.

What to expect on the day

Arrival

When you arrive at the Surgical Outpatients department, we will weigh you and take you to a seminar room where we will hold a group education session.

Educational session

You will watch a short presentation that brings together all the key information you need before surgery. This will be a summary of what you’ve already learned.

One-to-one reviews

You will meet the nurse and dietitian individually. They will: 

• check for any changes in your health.
  
  
• make sure you are eating and drinking in a way that is safe for surgery.

 

Outstanding tests

If any medical tests are still missing, we will follow these up. We cannot move you forward until all results are received.

Extra support (if needed)

If you are finding the diet difficult or have gained a lot of weight, we may offer extra dietitian appointments. After this, we will decide whether you can progress, or if you need to be discharged back to your GP.

Blood tests

You may need a blood test after your appointment. Then you can go for lunch.

 

Afternoon session

You will return to the Surgical Outpatients department at a set time to meet the surgeon. They will: 

• explain the risks and benefits of surgery.
  
  
• ask you to sign a consent form.

When you are close to receiving a date for your surgery, you will be invited to attend an Enhanced Recovery Education Session.

Why is this session important?

The session will help you feel prepared for your surgery and understand what to expect during your recovery.

What happens at the session?

You will be weighed and then join a group education session.

We will talk about:

• your pre-operative diet (the liver reducing diet you need to follow before surgery).
  
  
• your post-operative diet (what you can eat after surgery).
  
  
• your hospital stay – what will happen on the day of surgery and while you are in hospital.
  
  
• physiotherapy – the breathing exercises and mobility routines you need to follow after surgery.
  
  
• lifelong supplements – the vitamins and minerals you will need to take after surgery.

Your opportunity to ask a question

This is a great chance to ask any questions you have, and to hear answers to questions from other patients.