What to expect at an outpatient appointment
Achieving your goal.
Welcome to our safe and effective weight loss surgery programme. Meeting your consultant is your first step towards a more active and enjoyable lifestyle.
Our team of nurses, consultants and dietitians will do everything they can to make sure you reach and sustain your target weight – so you can join the many others who have gone on to enjoy improved health, greater energy and increased self-confidence. If you’ve almost given up trying to lose weight for good, this webpage could be the start of finding a solution. It’s quite natural to have questions. You may be worried about a particular aspect of treatment, or feel nervous because you’re not sure about what is going to happen. That’s why we’re here, to answer any questions you have about the programme. We listen to you and guide you through every part of your treatment.
We’re here to help.
Preparing to visit us.
At your outpatient visit, you will chat to the team who will look after you throughout your treatment. They can help ease any worries you have.
You may want to think about what you want to say before your visit. You can then jot down a few questions on the page at the back of this booklet, or simply ask us any that spring to mind on the day. We want to make sure that you are fully informed before deciding whether to go ahead with your weight loss surgery. If you have a question, we’ll answer it. If certain medical terms aren’t clear, we’ll explain them. If you’d like to bring a friend for support when we talk, no problem.
Your appointment can take up to two hours. We sometimes need to carry out further tests on the same day, or we may ask you to come back another day. But we will always fully explain why we need to do any extra tests. If you are on any prescribed medication, please bring the details along to your outpatient visit.
What are your thoughts?
• Is your weight affecting your health and lifestyle?
• Are you able to do everything you want to do?
• Do you have a weight-related medical condition?
• Do you want to lose weight?
• Have you tried to lose weight and been unable to?
• Do you have a target weight in mind?
• What do you want to achieve?
Some of the terms used
• Bariatrics – this is a medical term used to describe the treatment and management of obesity.
• Outpatient – being an outpatient simply means you are coming in to see us for an appointment. You don’t stay overnight at this stage.
• Consultant – this is the highly trained surgeon who will guide you through and perform your operation. You can talk to him/her about the individual weight loss goal that you hope to achieve or indeed any concerns you may have.
• Dietitian – this is the person who gives you advice on diet and nutrition. You can talk to them about your current diet, and changes you’ll need to make following surgery.
Your plan on the day.
Sometimes the thought of surgery can seem frightening. That’s why we discuss every aspect of your operation with you, so you know exactly what to expect.
You will meet your consultant, dietitian and a nurse. They are friendly, approachable and supportive and all play a role in helping you to reach your goals.
Arriving at the hospital.
We suggest you go to the main reception when you arrive at the hospital. The reception staff will then direct you to the outpatient area. It’s best to let a member of staff know you have arrived and they will find you a seat. We will need to make sure we are up-to-date with all your details, so we’ll check any completed forms that you bring with you. It’s normal to feel a bit anxious or unsure. We are here to help and care for you. If you have any concerns, do let us know and we will help you.
Meeting your consultant.
Our consultants are here to listen, answer any questions and tell you all about weight loss surgery. They are highly experienced – you can trust in the care and attention you will receive from them.
You will have the same consultant all the way through your stay with us. He or she will meet you at your outpatient visit, and will also see you when you are in hospital, and perform the operation.
Your consultant will continue to look after you until you return home from hospital, and will also see you for four or five appointments as part of your aftercare.
You’ll first meet your consultant for a talk in the consulting room of the outpatient department. The room has a desk, comfortable chairs and an examination couch.
Your consultant will want to talk about your medical history and diet history. These will be looked at in detail so we can give you the best and most appropriate level of care. The consultant will then talk about your weight loss surgery, discussing the variety of procedures available, the type of anaesthetic and any risks it may carry. We always make sure to recommend the right treatment for you. At any time, if you’re not sure of any information, don’t hesitate to ask for a clearer explanation in simpler terms. We want you to feel reassured and to understand what’s involved.
A normal part of your consultation may be a physical examination, including listening to your heart. You may have to undress and change into a gown or be covered by a blanket. Don’t hesitate to ask for a nurse to be with you during your examination, if you’d prefer. You will get some written information about your weight loss surgery to take away and read. If you are unsure about anything that is written down, you can ask us for help.
Meeting your nurse.
At the outpatient visit, you’ll meet one of our nurses who will spend time with you to talk about your stay in hospital. Your nurse can tell you what will happen at the time of your operation, how long your stay in hospital is likely to be, and how you may feel after your operation.
We’ll measure your height, and take your weight, blood pressure, waist and neck circumference. And we may review your medical forms. Some tests, like blood and urine tests, may also be taken. If you have any questions, you can also talk to your nurse.
Meeting your dietitian.
Your dietitian looks at your weight, current diet and physical activity. Any changes that may need to happen to your present diet and food intake will be discussed.
If you choose to go ahead, your dietitian will work out a diet plan tailor-made for you, to help you keep the weight off after your surgery.
May we have your permission?
When a consultant, nurse or therapist asks you to agree to any form of examination or treatment, we understand that you always have a choice. It’s quite acceptable for you to say no or ask for more information.
Your consent is most important. So, when having any operation, we ask you to sign a consent form to show that you agree to the procedure and fully understand what will happen.
You’ve made a decision. What’s next?
You can take as much time as you want to make a decision; we know there’s a lot to think about, and we won’t pressure you. If you think that weight loss surgery is for you, we can discuss operation dates that may suit you. We can also tell you more about coming into hospital and the diet you will need to follow before your operation. And we will advise you of the costs and terms of your weight loss surgery.
Keeping the hospital spotless.
You can be assured that we take infection prevention very seriously. We train our people to maintain a clean environment, and consultants, nurses and other healthcare staff wash their hands or use the alcohol rubs before they treat you. You can expect to find that all areas of the hospital are clean and tidy.
Questions? Call us.
Before you come in, you may have some concerns or queries. Please feel free to call us on 0845 603 4346, so we can help put your mind at ease.
We’re here to help.
