Your Hospital Stay

Recovery at the Hospital
The hospital stay for Bariatric Surgery averages two to three days.  Patients undergoing the laparoscopic method usually have a shorter hospitalization. The first few days after the operation are a critical time for your stomach and intestines to heal. 

Your nurses will encourage and assist you in performing deep breathing, coughing, leg movement exercises, and getting you out of bed after surgery.  With the help of your nurse or Physical Therapist, you should sit up and dangle your feet the first night of surgery and stand at your bedside.  You will be asked to get out of bed and walk the first post-operative day. 

The following leg exercise are helpful in preventing problems with circulation after surgery.  You should attempt to do these at least 10 times each hour while you are awake.

• Ankle pumps: move your foot up, toes to the ceiling, keeping your knee straight, then point your toes down towards the bed, as though stepping on the gas pedal of your car. Also roll your ankle around in circles.

• Quad sets: press the back of your knee down onto our bed by making the muscles in your thighs tighten. Hold in place for a count of 5, then relax and repeat.

• Gluteal sets: lie on your back and bend your knees so your feet are flat on the bed, then squeeze your buttocks together causing your hips to be lifted slightly. Hold in place for a count of 5, then relax and repeat.

After the first post-operative day, you will be required to walk at least three times per day and to do your leg and breathing exercises hourly. Getting up, walking and doing your post-operative exercises will speed up your recovery and minimize complications. 

Be certain to report any symptoms of nausea, anxiety, muscle spasms, increased pain or shortness of breath to your nurse.  
To varying degrees, it is normal to experience fatigue, nausea and vomiting, sleeplessness, surgical pain, weakness and lightheadedness, loss of appetite, gas pain, flatus, loose stools, and emotional ups and downs in the early days and weeks after surgery.  You may discuss specific medical concerns with your surgeon or physician.  Our staff at Obesity Surgery Specialists will provide you emotional support, answer questions and give you encouragement.

Diet at the Hospital
At the hospital, you will be served clear liquids and eventually full liquids as your new stomach pouch begins to heal. Most likely, you will not feel hungry the first week or so after surgery. This is normal, no reason for concern and may last a few weeks. However, it is very important to keep drinking water and to eat protein to prevent dehydration and to promote healing.

What to Expect on Your 1st Post-op Day
The nursing staff will check your wounds, monitor your vital signs, and check that you are doing your breathing and leg exercises.  You should get out of bed and walk at least 3 times.  The urinary catheter will be removed when you are comfortable enough to walk to the bathroom.  Your pain medicine will be available either by the PCA pump or by injection.  A technician may be by to draw your blood.  Once you have had a successful swallow study performed you may begin eating clear liquids.  If you are tolerating liquids well, your IV may be removed.

What to Expect on Your 2nd Post-op Day
Again today, the nursing staff will check your wounds, monitor your vital signs, and check that you are doing your breathing and leg exercises.  You should get out of bed, preferably by yourself, and walk at least 3 times.  Your pain medicine most likely be administered as a pill, and we will begin planning your discharge for home.

How Will I Know When I'm Ready to Go Home?
When you are tolerating your diet, are able to walk by yourself, can get in and out of bed independently, climb stairs, and can follow all your at home instructions you will be discharged from the hospital.