Please see below the Post Surgery Discharge Instructions:
Bariatric Discharge Instructions
Normal Symptoms during the first 1-2 weeks of post-op:
- nausea
- soreness
- vomiting/spitting up
- diarrhea
- constipation for the first week
- pressure on the chest or pain in the shoulders (from CO2 gas during surgery)
- Sore throat (from intubation)
Symptoms to call the office if you experience:
- fever >100.4 and/or shaking/chills
- severe, intolerable abdominal pain while on pain medication
- severe, sudden chest pain or shortness of breath
- >7 days with no bowel movement
- persistent diarrhea or vomiting
- large amounts of drainage, excessive swelling, and/or redness at incision site
- pain, tenderness, cramping, redness, tightness, or swelling in any part of your leg or foot
- continued bleeding of incisions
- inability to urinate after 6-8 hours after surgery
- lightheadedness, dizziness, and/or periods of fainting/passing out
Hydration – top priority after surgery
- Women – need >48 oz fluid/day; Men – need >64 oz fluid/day
- Take small, slow sips when consuming liquids
- Avoid using a straw and/or taking large gulps
- Ice-cold liquids are usually better tolerated
Get up every hour and walk a few laps around your house and do 3 breathing exercises on your incentive spirometer
- Helps get rid of the gas that was put into your body during the surgery – expect to burp and pass gas often
- Helps prevent blood clots after surgery
After 48 hours, you can remove the garment over your incision sites and wash your abdomen using antibacterial soap and a sponge
- Expect to see a little blood on the garment, if the garment is soaked in blood, make sure you call the office
- Only wash in the shower until cleared to take baths, swim, etc.
- Wash the abdomen with small, slow circles to avoid opening of incision sites
Wear your binder for 1 month after surgery
- Helps alleviate discomfort in abdomen
- Important for proper healing of incision sites
- Not necessary to wear the binder at night while you are sleeping
Medications/Home Care
- Consume pain and nausea medication for the first 3 days as prescribed, after those 3 days you can take these medications as needed
- Any medication that is larger than the size of a head of a pin needs to be in either a crushable or liquid form for the 1st month after surgery
- If you are on diabetes or blood pressure medication, be sure to take your blood glucose or blood pressure prior to taking the medication every time
- If you are on a CPAP or BIPAP machine, do not stop using it without consulting with your prescribing healthcare provider
Supplements
- Begin taking your probiotic on day 2 after surgery
- Begin taking your multivitamin on day 4 after surgery
Activity
- Do not lift anything over 10 pounds for the first 2 weeks after surgery
- Do not do any exercises that target the abdominal area until cleared
- During the 1st month, start with walking daily, then you can progress to power walking or slow jogging
