Post Operative Care After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery generally takes 2-2 ½ hrs, and the surgeon will normally inform the family after surgery has been completed.
- The patient recovers in the recovery room from the effects of anaesthesia, after 2-3 hr
- Once fully recovered the patient will be wheeled to their bed or room in the hospital.
- Patients may have a nasogastric tube (NG), an IV and a Foley catheter in their bladder.
- The NG is usually removed 1-2 days later, after an x-ray of the new pouch has been taken.
- After 2-3 days the patient can begin drinking water and about 60ml of a dietary supplement such as Boost, Horlicks or other similar food supplements.
- The patient will remain on liquids for the first 2 weeks after surgery, drinking the supplement for meals.
- The other liquids patients may have are decaffeinated coffee or tea, skimmed milk, broth (kanji), water, diluted fruit juice (1/3 juice mixed with 2/3 water) and sugar-free ice candies.
- The patient must avoid at all costs sweetened and/or carbonated beverages and adding sugar in their liquids.
- Average hospital stay is from 5 to 7 days depending on the physique of the patient.
- Patients must be able to drink adequate amounts of fluid before they can be discharged home.