Pre-Operative Checklist

Bariatric Surgery Pre-Operative Checklist

Preparing for bariatric surgery involves more than selecting a procedure and scheduling an operation. Completing each step in advance helps support a safer procedure, smoother recovery, and better long-term results.

Use this guide as a preparation checklist and review each requirement with your bariatric surgery team. Your surgeon’s and clinical team’s instructions always take priority over general information on this page.

1. Complete the Required Education Series

Watch the required pre-operative education videos before surgery. These materials explain:

• How your selected procedure works
• Expected benefits and limitations
• Potential risks and complications
• Pre-operative diet requirements
• Post-operative eating and drinking guidelines
• Protein, hydration, and vitamin requirements
• Medication changes
• Activity and recovery expectations
• Warning signs that require medical attention
• Lifelong follow-up requirements

Complete every assigned video and write down any questions for your surgical coordinator, surgeon, or dietitian.

2. Confirm Your Procedure and Medical Clearances

Review your planned procedure with your surgeon and confirm that all required evaluations are complete. Depending on your medical history, you may need:

• Primary-care medical clearance
• Anesthesia evaluation
• Cardiology clearance
• Pulmonary clearance
• Sleep-apnea evaluation
• Gastrointestinal evaluation or endoscopy
• Laboratory testing
• Additional imaging or specialty consultations

Make sure your clinical team has received all required reports and test results before your surgery date.

3. Complete Your Nutrition Evaluation

Meet with the bariatric dietitian and review the nutrition plan for before and after surgery. Discuss:

• The required pre-operative diet
• Protein goals
• Fluid goals
• Approved foods and beverages
• Foods and drinks to avoid
• Protein supplements
• Bariatric-specific vitamins
• Eating and drinking schedules
• Diabetes-related nutrition instructions
• Food allergies or intolerances
• Questions about emotional eating, grazing, or nighttime eating

Follow the diet provided by your clinical team. If you are having difficulty following it, contact the dietitian rather than making major changes on your own.

4. Follow the Pre-Operative Diet

Your team may prescribe a pre-operative or liver-shrinking diet before surgery. This diet may help reduce liver size and improve surgical access.

Follow the instructions regarding:

• Diet start and end dates
• Meal replacements
• Protein intake
• Approved meals and snacks
• Fluid intake
• Calorie limits, if prescribed
• Caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages
• Diabetes medications and blood-glucose monitoring

Do not skip meals, fast beyond your instructions, or substitute products without approval from your clinical team.

5. Begin the Prehabilitation Walking Program

Unless your medical team gives you different instructions, begin the required walking program approximately six weeks before surgery. The program may include 15 minutes of walking each day.

Start at a safe pace and gradually build consistency. If you have pain, limited mobility, or another condition that makes walking difficult, contact your care team to discuss an appropriate alternative.

Stop exercising and seek medical advice for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, severe dizziness, or other concerning symptoms.

6. Review All Medications and Supplements

Provide your surgical team with a complete list of all medications, vitamins, supplements, and herbal products you use.

Ask specifically about:

• Blood thinners
• Aspirin and antiplatelet medications
• Diabetes medications and insulin
• GLP-1 medications
• Blood-pressure medications
• Steroids
• Psychiatric medications
• Weight-loss medications
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Vitamins and minerals
• Herbal supplements
• Hormonal medications and contraceptives

Do not stop or restart medication unless instructed by your surgeon, anesthesiologist, or prescribing clinician.

7. Complete the Pre-Operative Class

Attend the required pre-operative class with your coordinator, typically scheduled during the week before surgery. The class may review:

• Arrival time and hospital location
• Fasting instructions
• Medication instructions
• The enhanced recovery protocol
• The pre-operative carbohydrate drink, if prescribed
• What to bring to the hospital
• Transportation and caregiver requirements
• Discharge planning
• Follow-up appointments
• How to contact the care team

Use this appointment to ask any remaining questions before surgery.

8. Prepare the Night Before Surgery

The night before surgery:

• Confirm your arrival time
• Confirm the hospital location
• Arrange transportation
• Arrange for a responsible adult to assist you as instructed
• Follow the prescribed fasting instructions
• Follow clear-liquid instructions
• Take or hold medications only as directed
• Complete any required skin-preparation instructions
• Prepare identification and insurance information
• Pack approved medical equipment, such as CPAP, if instructed
• Leave jewelry, valuables, and unnecessary items at home

If your team prescribed a carbohydrate drink as part of the ERAS protocol, use only the product, amount, and timing provided by your clinical team.

9. Plan for Recovery at Home

Prepare your home before surgery. Arrange:

• Transportation home
• A caregiver or support person
• Time away from work
• Childcare or pet care
• Approved liquids and protein products
• Prescribed medications
• Bariatric vitamins and supplements
• Comfortable clothing
• A safe area for rest and walking
• Any required medical equipment

Review your expected follow-up schedule and make sure you know how to contact the office during regular and after-hours periods.

10. Understand Your Long-Term Responsibilities

Bariatric surgery is a long-term treatment that requires ongoing participation. After surgery, you will need to maintain:

• Scheduled follow-up visits
• Recommended laboratory testing
• Bariatric vitamin and mineral supplementation
• Adequate protein and fluid intake
• Regular physical activity
• Medication monitoring
• Mental-health support when needed
• Appropriate contraception and pregnancy planning
• Ongoing monitoring for weight regain or returning health conditions

Contact your care team if you are unable to drink fluids, have persistent vomiting, develop severe or worsening pain, experience shortness of breath, have chest pain, develop a fever, or notice another concerning symptom.

Important Reminder

This checklist is an educational resource and does not replace individualized medical instructions. Requirements may differ based on your procedure, medical history, medications, and the protocols of your surgical team. Follow the most recent instructions provided by your bariatric surgeon and clinical staff.

For questions, contact the bariatric team at 305-692-0392.