After your gastric bypass, LAP-BAND adjustable gastric band, sleeve gastrectomy, or duodenal switch surgery, you’ll progress through a series of steps with your care team that will get you on the mend and feeling good as soon as possible.
The key thing to remember in the post-surgical phase is that everything is manageable. You may feel a little pain, but it can be managed with medication. You may even feel a little disoriented, but that feeling will fade quickly as you ease back into daily life.
Your first stop: recovery
Most patients have very little memory of their stay in the recovery room, and it’s common to feel drowsy and confused when you first wake up. You may notice that you’re connected to monitors to keep track of your vital signs, and there are nurses nearby. You will be in the recovery room for about 90 minutes, or until you are awake and alert and your vital signs are stable, and then you’ll be taken to your room.
Back in your room
On the day of your procedure, you’ll probably feel tired and sleep most of the time. This is just what your body needs to begin the healing process. During this time, you’ll continue to be monitored closely; nurses will check on you every hour at first and then every other hour as you rest. You can have ice chips if your mouth is dry. You may have had a catheter placed in your bladder during surgery. It will be removed in a day if your urine flow is adequate.
Typically, your first day post-surgery is not a good time to have visitors. You’ll be sleeping most of the time, and nurses will be monitoring you closely and continuously. Ask friends and family to wait until the following day or later to pay you a visit. You’ll both be able to enjoy it more that way.
The first few days
This is a critical time for your stomach and intestines to heal. You will slowly progress from sips of water to clear liquids depending on which surgery you had. You’ll continue to get heparin every 12 hours while you’re in the hospital, and there is additional medication available for nausea or pain or if you run a temperature.
Everyone’s perception of pain is different. It is important to inform your nurse if you need pain medication.
If you have diabetes, your blood sugar will be checked every six hours and you’ll be given insulin if needed.
Coughing and deep breathing are important to prevent complications such as pneumonia. Your breath volume will be measured regularly to ensure it is sufficient. You’ll also have pumps on your feet throughout your stay to prevent blood clots. They should only be removed when you are sitting up in a chair or walking.
You will be encouraged to walk several times while you are in the hospital. Each day you’ll notice your strength returning.
As you recover, you may experience fatigue, nausea, sleeplessness, surgical pain, weakness, lightheadedness, loss of appetite, gas pain, flatus, loose stools, and emotional ups and downs. These are normal and will pass in time as you continue to heal.