A Patient's Responsibility

Your role in improving the outcome of gastric bypass surgery

Your name may not be on the office door, but you are a partner with your doctor. This is especially true if you are a patient considering gastric bypass surgery. Successful treatment requires you to accept the responsibility of working with your surgeon and other healthcare professionals. By doing so, you will improve the outcome of your operation and increase the chances of success.

Answer Questions Honestly

Blood tests, body scans and other diagnostic tools can only do so much. There is information your doctors can obtain only by talking with you, asking questions about diet, lifestyle, and other factors that impact care. You owe it to your doctor and yourself to answer all questions completely and honestly.

Follow All Directions

There will be many, many instructions in the weeks and days leading up to your surgery. From medications to diet adjustments, these pre-op details are to improve the outcome. Follow all directions and ask questions if something is unclear.

Do Your Homework

In addition to following diet, exercise and other preparation, you also need to prepare yourself mentally. An informed patient is a better patient, and knowing the answers to key questions improves your confidence and peace of mind. If there are ways to further reduce risks, they should be considered. One subject to learn about and discuss with your surgeon is surgical staple line reinforcement techniques.

During gastric bypass surgery, incisions in the stomach and digestive organs are closed with special staples. This can create the potential for post-operative complications. Staple line failure, although uncommon, can result in serious complications, and even death. Staple line reinforcement products can be used in conjunction with surgical staplers to minimize perioperative leaks, bleeding, and other problems that may occur.

For surgeons and patients, using synthetic staple line reinforcement may provide new answers to leak and bleeding problems associated with gastric bypass surgery. This "bioabsorbable" material is replaced through the body's natural processes - potentially limiting inflammatory response associated with other reinforcement materials.

GORE SEAMGUARD® Bioabsorbable Staple Line Reinforcement is one type of reinforcement that is available. This unique material is completely absorbed by the body in six months or less after surgery. It provides greater peace of mind for you - and your doctors.

Prior to your gastric bypass, ask your surgeon about GORE SEAMGUARD® Staple Line Reinforcement and become an active, responsible part of your health care team.