Bariatric Surgery

For safe bariatric surgery with the best results, the procedures must be delivered within the structure of a multidisciplinary team, where the surgery is just one component to a holistic approach, combining the procedure alongside psychological and dietary support. Patients must be assessed by at least a bariatric dietician, surgeon, and psychologist before the surgery and their anaesthetic risk be assessed by a bariatric trained anaesthetist.

The types of assessment are as follows:

• Surgical assessment: involves a face to face or virtual consultation with a bariatric specialist in where your weight issues, medications, surgical and medical history, allergies, and other factors are discussed, including any procedure processes. The risks and benefits are also explained.
• Dietetic assessment: is a thorough assessment conducted by a specialist dietician who will examine your weight loss expectations and help to manage these sensibly, whilst explaining your pre- and post-operative diet.
• Psychological assessment: is a holistic and detailed appointment with a clinical psychologist experienced in weight gain concerns and potential triggers contributing to a patient's excess weight. The assessment also reflects on coping strategies for during the post-surgical phase and delves into a patient’s mental history (if required).
• Medical / anaesthetic assessment: required if patients have complex past medical or anaesthetic histories or problems.

At OneWelbeck, we all work together to personalise your treatment and put together the best options for anyone considering this surgical intervention. Therefore, it is required a minimum of 3 consultations prior to surgery, a full set of blood tests and sometimes a heart tracing may also be carried out. If any of these produce a diagnosis that was not previously detected, e.g., high blood pressure, heart problems, type 2 diabetes, or gastrointestinal issues, then additional diagnostics and referral to a suitable specialist may be required.

After bariatric surgery, a close follow up is required to guarantee that you are healthy, fitter, stronger and yet lighter. All patients who have this procedure are required to take vitamin supplementation for life and after the first year, annual blood tests will be taken to ensure that routine bloods and micronutrients are kept within normal limits.

Surgery is not without its risks, so if not followed up, risks include vitamin or other deficiencies developing in the patient that can be dangerous if preventative measures are not taken.

Please note that we only offer pre-operative and post-operative care at OneWelbeck for bariatric surgery patients - the surgery itself takes place at a different facility. Please speak to your consultant for more details.