Preparation for Gall Bladder Surgery
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Consult Your Insurance Carrier
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Patients preparing for gall bladder surgery should first contact their insurance carriers for verification that the operation will be covered, and that the selected doctor and hospital are in the appropriate networks to ensure maximum coverage. Some insurance carriers have special requirements that must be performed prior to the actual operation, and others require a documented referral to the specialist prior to check-in at the hospital. Because gall bladder surgery can be considerably expensive, patients should take every action available to ensure as much of the expense as possible is absorbed by the insurance carriers.
Complete Pre-Registration at the Hospital
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Many hospitals enforce a preregistration requirement in which the patient provides insurance verification, demographic information and personal details. The requirements and specific information collected vary from hospital to hospital (or chain to chain), but most hospitals have some form of preregistration process that must be completed before the operation can take place. In many cases, the surgeon or referring doctor will provide information on how to complete this process, though hospital staff can also provide the appropriate documents and forms that should be completed.
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Become Comfortable with Anesthesia
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A gall bladder surgery, even if completed as a laparoscopic procedure, requires some form of general anesthesia. Because some patients have allergies to anesthesia medication, or exhibit unexpected reactions to general anesthesia, all candidates for gall bladder surgery are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the anesthesia process and become aware of any potential complications. In many cases, a qualified anesthesiologist will perform a consultation with the patient to ensure the process is fully understood and to answer any questions the patient may have.
Stop Eating Fat
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As a matter of personal comfort, many gall bladder patients choose to stop eating fatty foods in the days (or weeks) leading up to gall bladder surgery. Because the gall bladder produces an enzyme crucial to the digestion of fat, and because the gall bladder's operation is triggered by introduction of fat into the digestive system, consuming foods high in fat can elicit a painful reaction from the distressed organ. Reducing fat intake can help calm the gall bladder and reduce pain until the organ can be extracted.
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