Preoperative Preparation for Bariatric Surgery

Tests and assessments

• Blood work (CBC, biochemistry, thyroid, vitamins, HbA1c)
• Upper GI endoscopy
• Abdominal ultrasound and chest imaging
• ECG and anaesthesia review
• Endocrinology, cardiology or pulmonology consults when needed
• Nutritional assessment and dietitian counselling

Lifestyle preparation

• Smoking cessation at least 4 weeks before surgery
• Alcohol avoidance
• Regular physical activity as tolerated
• Liver-shrinking diet (typically 10–14 days before surgery) when prescribed

Medications

Anticoagulants, NSAIDs and certain diabetes medications may need to be adjusted before surgery. Always share your full medication list with the surgical and anaesthesia teams.

If you use GLP-1 / GIP medicines

Medicines such as semaglutide, liraglutide or tirzepatide can slow gastric emptying, so they are discussed separately during anaesthesia planning. There is no single stop interval that applies to everyone; the 2024 multi-society guidance recommends an individualised decision.

• Tell the surgical and anaesthesia teams the medicine name, dose and date of your last injection in advance.
• Do not stop or change the medicine on your own; the decision is made together by the surgeon, the anaesthetist and the doctor who prescribed it.
• If it is prescribed for diabetes, the glucose management plan is reviewed as well.
• Report ongoing nausea, vomiting or persistent fullness before the operation.

More detail: GLP-1 medicines before bariatric surgery (2026)

For international patients

Preparation, hospital stay and travel planning depend on the type of procedure, the protocol of the treating healthcare institution and individual clinical assessment. This information site does not state fixed durations.