The fourth-largest American city, Houston, TX is located in Harris County and covers 579.4 square miles. As of July 2009, 2,257,926 lived there. This marks a population increase of 15.6% since 2000. Of those residents, 19.5% lived in poverty. There is a nearly even balance between males and females in the city. 42.7% of the population is Hispanic, with the other majority balancing between White and Black. Just 5.4% are Asian.
The median age of a Houston resident is 30.9 years, slightly younger than that of the state of Texas. The state's largest city, Houston boasts many zip codes including: 77001, 77002, 77003, 77004 and 77005. The median income per household is $44,315 Renters pay a gross average of $775 per month in rent.
Houston, Texas is home to an impressive array of hospitals including the Menninger Clinic and The Institute for Rehabilitation & Research. The city also houses the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world. The facility boasts 13 hospitals, including Texas Children's Hospital and the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center. Known for its innovation in medicine, the city hosts patients from all over the world. Countless disciplines are represented, including ear, nose and throat, neurologists, plastic surgeons and cardiologists.
Before you schedule weight loss surgery, you may see several health care specialists, including a weight loss surgeon and his or her support staff, a psychologist, and a dietitian who specializes in weight loss surgery.
Weight Loss Surgeon
During your visit to the weight loss surgeon, you and your surgeon
will determine which weight loss surgery option is right for you: a
gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding, or gastric sleeve. Your
surgeon will discuss the risks inherent in the surgery, the
life-changing effects of the surgery, and what is required of you after
weight loss surgery. Be sure to let your surgeon know about any
medications that you are currently taking or any complications that you
have had with other medications in the past.
Weight loss surgery specialists generally order the following tests:
- blood tests
- chest x ray
- dietitian consultation
- psychologist consultation
You will also meet with the surgeon's support staff to discuss billing. At this time the doctor's assistant will help you determine if your insurance will cover the procedure and if you qualify for financing.
Weight Loss Psychologist
During your visit with the psychologist, he or she will determine if you are mentally and emotionally prepared for weight loss surgery. Weight loss surgery requires determination. After weight loss surgery -- for the rest of your life -- you will only be able to eat very small portions of food: about two ounces. The type of food that you eat must also be strictly controlled in order to stay healthy.
Weight loss surgery patients must follow a strict diet both before and after surgery to be successful. The psychologist's job is to determine if the patient is both capable of meeting the pre- and post-surgical requirements and that the patient is genuinely aware of the life-changing nature of weight loss surgery.
Weight Loss Dietitian
When you meet with the dietitian, he or she will take measurements such as your BMI, evaluate your current diet, and create a custom diet plan tailored to your specific needs. You will have a pre weight loss surgery diet and a post weight loss surgery diet plan. In fact, you will have several post weight loss surgery diets as your needs change immediately after surgery and in each of the few subsequent weeks.
A month or more prior to weight loss surgery, after you have had your initial consultations, you begin to make dietary and lifestyle changes.
- stop smoking
- take a multi-vitamin every day
- eat a high-fiber, low-fat diet
- stop eating fried food, sugary food, and fast food
- drink only low- or no-calorie drinks, such as water, herbal, or green tea without sweetener
- reduce or eliminate caffeine and carbonated beverages
- walk at least 10 minutes every day; 20 is better
- drink at least six glasses of water every day
- join a weight loss surgery support group
- make arrangements for someone to drive you home from the hospital
- make arrangements with one or more friends or family members to care for you at home for a few weeks after surgery
- learn about weight loss surgery and the lifestyle changes that it requires
One week to immediately before your weight loss surgery, you must make additional preparations. Your weight loss surgeon might have additional instructions.
- discontinue any medications that your surgeon has directed you to discontinue before your surgery (only as directed; you may need to discontinue some medications sooner)
- do not drink alcohol within 48 hours of your weight loss surgery
- avoid eating or drinking for the period directed by your surgeon
- verify arrangements for your ride home from the hospital and home care afterwards
- prepare a bag with the following supplies:
- personal and recovery items
- comfortable clothing
- postsurgical medications (as directed)
- eyewear containers
- insurance information
- medical power of attorney
- living will or advance directive
- do not bring credit or debit cards, valuable items or jewelry to the hospital; be sure to remove all such items from your purse, briefcase, or wallet
Perhaps the most important step for successful weight loss is emotional preparation. If you are dedicated to making drastic and permanent lifestyle changes to achieve weight loss success and thoroughly understand the nature of weight loss surgery, chances are you will achieve significant results through weight loss surgery.
For more information about Houston Weight Loss Surgery Center, or to schedule a consultation, click here and contact us today!
