The decision to have weight-loss surgery should not be made lightly. First, become well-informed about the nature of the surgery, including its risks and benefits, and the major changes you will have to make in your eating and lifestyle habits, both after the operation and long term. You need to be well-informed about the likelihood of experiencing vomiting, dumping and other related complications following the surgery and your new eating plan.

Meet with your program’s dietitian. Following the postsurgical diet for several months can also help prepare you for the dietary changes that will be required after the operation.

Join a support group. You can get much information about the surgery, its risks and the psychological and behavioral consequences of the surgery from people who have been through it.

Psychologically, assess your expectations, making sure that they are realistic. Most people lose about 30 percent of their initial weight after surgery—some more, some less. Instead of just focusing on weight loss, though, it is important to pay attention to other improvements in health and activities in daily living, like walking up a flight of stairs without being out of breath or playing on the floor with kids or grandkids. These improvements in quality of life are better measures than just weight loss alone.