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Post Op Area

 
 
 
GASTRIC BYPASS
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
 
DIET:

  • Progressively increase liquid intake to 64 ounces a day,with continuous sips all day long. Water may cause cramping or nausea. Try adding a little bit of Crystal Light, iced tea, or chicken broth.
  • Start protein shakes two days after surgery, taking at least 4 ounces twice a day. The whey protein should be mixed with water or skim milk. The Isopure should be taken as is.
  • Further instruction on the progression of your diet will be given at your follow up visit.

 
ACTIVITY:

  • Resume normal activity. NO LIMITATIONS. You are encouraged to walk often and begin an exercise regimen. Climbing stairs is generally permitted, but it is recommended that you climb them slowly and pause after every few steps.
  • You may shower normally with soap and water; however please remove the dressing over the drain and replace with new dry gauze when done. Leave the small tapes over the incisions as they will begin to fall off on their own in about a week or so.
  • Continue to use your incentive spirometer at home for 5 days along with the coughing and deep breathing exercises.
  • You can usually resume sexual activity in 2 weeks.
  • No driving for 1 week.

 
MEDICATIONS:

  • You will be given two prescriptions:
  1. Zantac – 1 pill twice a day for one month.
  2. Percocet – 1 pill every three hours as needed for severe pain.
     
  • You may take over-the-counter Gas-X for gas pains.
  • You should continue to take your blood pressure and/or psych medications as prescribed.
  • The surgeon will adjust your diabetes medications for discharge as needed.
  • For further adjustments of these or any of your preoperative medications, please contact your primary care physician and/or endocrinologist.

 
BLADDER/BOWEL FUNCTIONS:

  • You should be able to pass urine without difficulty. If you experience any burning, pain, bleeding, hesitancy, or frequency, call the doctor.
  • Constipation after surgery is normal. You are allowed to take Milk of Magnesia if necessary. If constipation does not resolve within a week, call the doctor.
  • Diarrhea after surgery is also normal. If it persists for more than a week after surgery, call the doctor.

 
REST/SLEEP:

  • Your recovery will take several weeks depending on your age and general health. Feelings of fatigue are normal, and you should try to rest as needed.

 
RETURN TO WORK:

  • Generally, you can return to work one week after surgery.

 
RETURN VISIT TO DOCTOR:

  • You will be expected to see the doctor this week and three weeks thereafter. Future appointments will be arranged in the office.

 
ADJUSTABLE GASTRIC BANDING
DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS
 
 DIET:

  • Progressively increase liquid intake to 64 ounces a day, with continuous sips all day long. Water may cause cramping or nausea. Try adding a little bit of Crystal Light, iced tea, or chicken broth.
  • Start protein shakes two days after surgery, taking at least 4 ounces twice a day. The whey protein should be mixed with water or skim milk. The Isopure should
  • be taken as is.
  • Liquid diet for 2 weeks, then pureed diet for 2 weeks, then soft food.
  • Follow diet handbook from Nutritionist.

 
ACTIVITY:

  • Resume normal activity. NO LIMITATIONS. You are encouraged to walk often and begin an exercise regimen.Climbing stairs is generally permitted, but it is recommended that you climb them slowly and pause after every few steps.
  • You may shower normally with soap and water. Leave the small tapes over the incisions as they will begin to fall off on their own in about a week or so.
  •  Continue to use your incentive spirometer at home for 5 days along with the coughing and deep breathing exercises.
  • You can usually resume sexual activity in 2 weeks.
  • No driving until off pain medications.

 
MEDICATIONS:

  • You will be given two prescriptions:
  1. Zantac – 1 pill twice a day for one month.
  2. Percocet – 1 pill every three hours as needed for severe pain.
  • You may take over-the-counter Gas-X for gas pains.
  • You should continue to take your blood pressure and/or psych medications as prescribed.
  • The surgeon will adjust your diabetes medications for discharge as needed.
  • For further adjustments of these or any of your preoperative medications, please contact your primary care physician and/or endocrinologist.

 
BLADDER/BOWEL FUNCTIONS:

  • You should be able to pass urine without difficulty. If you experience any burning, pain, bleeding, hesitancy, or frequency, call the doctor.
  • Constipation after surgery is normal. You are allowed to take Milk of Magnesia if necessary. If constipation does not resolve within a week, call the doctor.
  • Diarrhea after surgery is also normal. If it persists for more than a week after surgery, call the doctor.

 
REST/SLEEP:

  • Your recovery will take several weeks depending on your age and general health. Feelings of fatigue are normal, and you should try to rest as needed.

 
RETURN TO WORK:

  • Generally, you can return to work one week after surgery.

 
RETURN VISIT TO DOCTOR:
You will be expected to see the doctor in 4 weeks. Future appointments will be arranged in the office.
 
 
 
WHEN SHOULD I CALL THE DOCTOR
 
 
Call the doctor for the following symptoms: (305-856-4385)
 

  • Increased pain, swelling, redness of incisions; An infection may require antibiotics.
  • Drainage from the incision sites that is cloudy, dark, or foul smelling
  • Fever over 101.0 F. For a reliable temperature reading, do not take aspirin, Tylenol, or Ibuprofen for 3-4 hours before. Hot liquids should not be taken immediately before taking your temperature either.
  • If you experience any shortness of breath
  •  A fast heart rate, usually greater than 120 beats per minute. (Place your index finger over your pulse on the inside of your wrist nearest your thumb; count the number of beats for 15 seconds and multiply that number by 4)
  • Rigors or night sweats
  • Persistent pain, nausea, and/or vomiting after eating; Persistent diarrhea beyond the first week after discharge
  • New onset of upper back, chest, or left shoulder pain; Lower back pain can be expected.
  • Persistent hiccups and/or abdominal pain for more than 2 hours
  •  Prolonged or unusual fatigue, disorientation, confusion, and extreme depression  
  •  Signs of a bladder infection such as burning, pain, bleeding, hesitancy, or frequency in urinating; If a bladder infection is suspected, a urinalysis must be done. (A course of antibiotics will generally resolve the problem.
  •  You should continue to feel better every day. Should you begin to feel generally worse than the day before, please call the doctor.