Patient Guide (click here to download) - includes helpful information on preparing for surgery,
your stay in the hospital, post-surgical care, and recovery and maintenance instructions and suggestions.
Weight loss bypass surgery usually involves a 4- to 6-day hospital stay (2 to 3 days
for a laparoscopic approach). Most people can return to their normal
activities within 3 to 5 weeks.
What happens after I'm discharged from the hospital?
You will usually be discharged after 1 to 3 nights in the hospital, depending on the type of operation you've had. Your doctor will give you a prescription for pain medication before your discharge. Most people crush their pills to make them easier to swallow during this time, and take them with a dollop of yogurt or applesauce. If you are taking other medications (e.g. for blood pressure, depression, etc.) please check with your doctor about when you should resume taking them. You will remain on a diet of liquids, pureed foods and a few soft solids until you are seen for your first postoperative appointment, roughly 3 weeks after your operation.
What medications will I be taking once I am discharged from the hospital?
If you were taking any medication prior to surgery, you will probably
resume these unless they may irritate your stomach (like aspirin or ibuprofen).
In addition to a prescription pain medication, you may be advised to take one or
more of the following, depending on which operation you had:
A chewable multivitamin tablet, such as Flintstone's or Centrum chewables, twice a day.
A chewable calcium tablet, like TUMS or Viactiv, twice a day, once cleared by your doctor.
Protein shake if your surgeon
What about eating?
Gastric bypass surgeries may cause dumping syndrome. This occurs when
food moves too quickly through the stomach and intestines. It causes
nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after
eating. These symptoms are made worse by eating highly refined,
high-calorie foods (like sweets). In some cases you may become so weak
that you have to lie down until the symptoms pass.
Are there stitches that will need to come out?
Your incisions will be covered with small paper bandages called "Steri-Strips." Most patients will not have any stitches or staples on their skin; the stitches are internal and will absorb on their own. It is OK for you to shower starting on the second day after surgery, but do not take any baths or go swimming, as your incisions are not yet fully healed. The steri-strips will start to curl up around the edges about a week or two after surgery -- when they do, it's fine to remove them, just like you would a band-aid.
What type of physical activity is ok?
You should feel free to try any physical activity that feels comfortable to you. It is OK to lift about 15 pounds -- roughly 1 bag of groceries -- but not much more. It is certainly OK to walk, climb stairs, stretch, and even jog, if you feel up to it. You should definitely avoid any contact sports at this time.
It is not OK to drive a car until you have been off all narcotic pain
medication for several days. When you do resume driving, start with
slow, easy trips around the neighborhood -- definitely avoid the freeway
for a week or so.
How long do I need to take off from work?
Most patients take 3 or 4 weeks off from work, although some highly
motivated patients go back after just 1 or 2 weeks. Once you are a week
or more out from your surgery, there is no medical reason why you cannot
resume work activities, so long as your job does not require strenuous
physical activity. The main determinant of your readiness to return to
work is how you feel. It is common to have a low energey level that steadily improves for several weeks.
How do I set up my first follow-up visit?
You need to call your doctor to set up an appointment to be seen about 1-2
weeks or so after your operation. At this visit, your surgeon will
carefully examine your incisions to see if they have healed well. If so,
you will be given a clean bill of health and will be able to resume
all activities including bathing, swimming, and all exercises.
