Bariatric Surgery: Your Surgical Experience
Before surgery, tests will be done to check your health. You will be monitored and kept as comfortable as possible throughout surgery and recovery. After surgery, you may stay in the hospital for up to
Your Pre-Op Exam and Tests
Your doctor may see you about a week before surgery. He or she may request blood tests. These tests help confirm that you’re well enough for surgery. Chest x-rays may be ordered to check your lungs. An ECG may be done to check your heart rhythm. Other exams and tests may also be done, if needed.
Before Surgery
To prepare for surgery, you may be asked to:
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Stop smoking.
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Lose weight by following a special diet.
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Stop taking certain medications, including aspirin and anti-inflammatories. Ask your surgeon what medications to continue taking. Be sure to mention any herbs or supplements you take.
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Not binge on food before surgery.
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Stop eating and drinking after midnight on the night before surgery, or as instructed.
On the Day of Surgery
After you arrive, you will sign any consent forms. On or before the day of surgery, an anesthesiologist may talk with you. You will be told about your anesthetics (medications to block pain), which will let you sleep through surgery.
Reaching the Organs
Your surgeon begins the surgery by making one or more incisions in your abdomen. For a laparoscopic procedure, several small incisions are made. During the procedure, surgical instruments are inserted through these small incisions and the surgeon operates by looking at the organs on a video monitor. For open surgery (also called laparotomy), one large incision is made. Before surgery, your surgeon will explain what type of incisions you may have.
Just After Surgery 
You may wake up in a recovery room. Or you may be in an ICU (intensive care unit). One or more IV (intravenous) lines may be in place. IV lines deliver fluids and medications. One IV line may be attached to a PCA (patient-controlled analgesia) pump. You can use this pump to give yourself pain medications. Tubes may also be in place to drain or suction body fluids. In some cases, a tube may be in your throat overnight to help you breathe. You may also have special leg stockings to help improve blood flow.
At the Hospital
As you recover from surgery, you will be moved to a hospital room. You will be asked to be active as soon as you can. This helps speed your recovery. You will also be asked to do breathing exercises. These help keep your lungs healthy. X-ray tests may be done to check your progress. As you gain strength, you will start a liquid diet. Your team will tell you when you’re ready to go home.
