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.
- Up to 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 Kakariki Hospital.
- 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.
- Start using the incentive spirometer and begin gentle movement around the ward.
- Receive daily motivational text messages.
- Day one, review with Mr. Morrow and discharge with medication prescriptions.
Post-Operative Follow-Up:
- Follow-up appointments in the first few weeks.
- Transition to a soft diet in week 3, full diet in week 6.
- Resume normal activities gradually in week 4.
- Regular appointments recommended for best long term results.
- Lifelong monitoring by us or your family doctor.