Duke RNY Patient Pre-Opt Process

I am considering having RNY surgery through Duke and was curious what their pre-opt process is. I have an appointment to meet with the surgeon, but its a little ways off. I was curious what they require you to do in order to prepare for surgery (i.e. do they are require you to go on a liquid diet prior to surgery, and if so, for how long, etc.). They did tell me I will need to have two half day pre-opt appointments. One at their office with the surgeon, and one at Durham Regional. I was curious what happens during both of these appointments.

If any former or current RNY Duke patients can share their experiences, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks.

Lisa

I think it depends on the surgeon as to how long  you have to do the liquid diet pre-op.  I have Dr. Sudan and he just requires clear liquids the day before surgery.  The pre-op at the clinic is your group meeting with Psych, Nutritionist and nurse from Durham Reg. and then with your surgeon.  Then at the hospital you go over anesthesia paperwork and give more blood.  I think that covers it :) 

Good luck to you!!!

Hi Lisa,

Generally, Duke doesn't do require a liquid diet pre-op. They may if they feel it is in your best interest, but it's not something done on a 'wholesale' basis. They will require fasting the day before surgery. It's been a while since my husband and I had our surgeries there and they have had some significant changes in staff, so it is possible that there process has changed. That said, the pre-op appointments were appointments with letting us know what to expect the day of surgery and the weeks following. The other appoint really as the lab stuff and meeting with the anesthesia staff as well as meeting with the business office to handle the paperwork. 

I hope that helps.

My surgeon was Dr Torquati and my BMI was just 40.8 so he gave me the ok to loose up to 15 pounds. I did not have to do liquid diet except 24 hours before surgery with the bowel prep. The long pre-op apt at Duke Weightloss Center is for the pre-op class that all patients go to, they go over the details of the first 3 weeks post op and you usually see the Nurse coordinator, psychologist, and the nutritionist.
The long apt at Durham regional is for an interview with the anesthesia team and any other testing they want (ie: labs, cardiac clearance) Depending on your comorbidities is how they order the test. I had no comorb. so I had to have some lab work, ekg and an upper GI. All went smooth with the pre-op trail.

I wish you all the best
Audra