A Tailored Approach - The Importance of Multidisciplinary Care after Bariatric Surgery

Contrary to what some might say - bariatric surgery is no quick-fix solution that’s done and dusted after leaving the operating room. Anyone who has had bariatric surgery or knows someone who has will understand the level of commitment and transformation which this journey demands.

The first year post-op is what we call the ‘Honeymoon Phase’ - your appetite is heavily suppressed and you’re losing weight pretty quickly. After years of trying to get the weight off and being burnt by diet after diet, this can feel like a dream come true. And at times it can make you feel pretty invincible.

From the outside, it might look like you’ve had an operation which has made your stomach smaller and as a result you now eat less and you’ve lost weight. But in reality - you’ve had a life-changing operation which impacts so much more than just the food you eat and the number on the scales. Many of our patients report that it’s just as much (if not more) of a journey for the mind than it is for the body.

When the Honeymoon Phase ends, hunger levels may start to re-emerge and you’ll find that you can eat much more than in the early stages post op. This can be really confronting. And if you haven’t taken the time to establish good habits in the first year post op - this can begin the slippery slope to recurrent weight gain.

This is why the care you receive after getting bariatric surgery is so important in supporting your success long term. At Tailor Clinics, we are renowned for the holistic multidisciplinary care we provide our patients prior to and following their bariatric surgery. We deeply understand that long term success is not determined by the surgery alone, but through ongoing support to effectively integrate changes in your nutrition, psychology and lifestyle habits. We are here to support you through the challenges and cheer you along with the wins.

If bariatric surgery is like buying the dream home, the aftercare is the insurance. You just wouldn’t do one without the other. Your multidisciplinary team has got your back and is there to support you when any challenges arise.

At Tailor Clinics, we have five main branches of clinicians, who each look after different areas of your pre and post care. Each provide unique and essential roles but work together as a team to ensure you’re getting the best possible care:

●      Surgeon - your surgeon plays a very obvious and essential role. Without the surgeon - the operation simply isn’t happening. Before surgery, your surgeon is also assessing your risk profile and ensuring the operation is going to be safe and appropriate for you. Your safety is always our number one priority. In the early stages post op, your surgeon will check in on your recovery and look after you should there be any complications.

●      Nurse - your bariatric nurse plays a very central role in your pre and post op care. This is typically the first of your initial appointments, and the one which you will receive the most education on the operation. The nurse will help inform you of what to expect both pre and post surgery, the potential risks and benefits, and go through your personal health history and circumstances. The nurse will coordinate your surgery booking and together with the surgical team will ensure that you’re medically fit to go ahead with surgery.

●      Nutritionist / Dietitian - your specialised nutrition team will provide you with bariatric nutrition education at each of the significant stages pre and post op. They will guide you on how and what to eat in the early stages post op in order to work with your new digestive system. Over time, they will support you in forming a healthy and sustainable relationship with food. Your nutritionist also has the essential role of monitoring your blood results and advising you on supplements to help manage and prevent any nutrient deficiencies.
 

●      Psychologist - as mentioned, bariatric surgery is more than just an adjustment for the body, it will also impact your relationship with food, others and yourself. It’s a journey that often involves reframing beliefs, setting boundaries, developing new coping strategies for difficult emotions, and for some, unpacking trauma which may have impacted the way you related to food in the past. Seeing a psychologist with experience in this field is so important to help support you in forming new habits, coping strategies and thought processes which are supportive of your goals and help prevent you from repeating past patterns.

●      Exercise Specialist - your exercise specialist will help guide you on safe and effective ways to move your body to help support your mobility, strength and fitness. They will work with you to establish a routine that is attainable and enjoyable for you. They’ll also work alongside the nutrition team to ensure that you’re appropriately fuelling your body to sustain your exercise routine.

The other significant advantage of having a multidisciplinary team under one roof is the ability for the team to consult on your care with fewer barriers or delays. We are not clinicians who work independently, but rather as a team to ensure that our patients get the care they need. This practice allows us to efficiently adjust patient management plans, get the appropriate specialist advice and ultimately provide our patients with more efficient individualised support.

We understand that for many people, bariatric surgery is a privilege. One that involves significant financial commitment that is not accessible to all. We recognise and respect that this means that our comprehensive bariatric service is simply not an option for everyone. In an attempt to help bridge this gap and support our mission of delivering the best, multidisciplinary, supportive and customer-centric bariatric practice to all - we also offer our acclaimed after care as a stand-alone service.

Introducing: Surround-Care (TM)

Because we are so passionate about the holistic follow up required after bariatric surgery, we also extend this care to patients who have had their surgery elsewhere with our Surround-Care(TM) program. This program includes twelve months of multi-disciplinary clinician appointments and regular blood testing, some valuable post-op resources, and subscription to our on-line retreat program (PACE). There is also the option of attending the face-to-face residential retreat program as an additional extra.

For more information or to enquire about our bariatric services, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly admin team on 07 859 0185 or reception@tailorclinics.co.nz.