Patient education

Patient education is a very important part of a physician’s role just before surgery. During consultation the physician will have explained every aspect. The patient’s understanding of the procedure and its importance promotes dedication and willingness to cooperate (compliance).
The patient receives information in writing and in extensive conversations. One day before surgery another conversation will take place, when the surgeon provides technical details, objectives, risks and possible complications of the procedure (see General Complications and risks of anaesthesia and Surgical Complications), as well as an overall view of the further course and the follow-up. A standardised information form will be completed and signed by both the patient and the surgeon.
Since this surgery is an elective procedure, the patient must not be pressed for time. Each patient must be informed about mortality rates associated with the intervention. In gastric banding surgery, the mortality rate ranges from 0.1-0.5%. In bypass surgery it may be increased 10-fold (approx. 1%).