Bariatric Center at Southwest Healthcare System

In the Days Before Your Surgery:

Your doctor will give you a list of instructions to get ready for surgery that will include dietary counseling, lab test requirements and psychological evaluation.
You will go to the hospital presurgery testing area to have some laboratory tests completed, so that your surgeon has complete information needed to evaluate your status during surgery.
Prior to surgery, you will need to attend a preop education class and meet some of the staff that will care for you and help you recover after your surgery.
You will learn about the pain medication pump, which allows you to control the timing and amount of pain medication you need to keep you comfortable following surgery.
You will also learn about other medications used while you are recovering from surgery, and how to minimize complications through breathing exercises, leg exercises and getting out of bed as early as possible.
The night before surgery, you will need to stop all eating and drinking at midnight.

On the Day of Your Surgery:

Check in at a prearranged time to get ready for surgery.
When you wake up, you will be in the post-anesthesia care unit where the nurse will check on you frequently to assess your blood pressure, heart rate and breathing.
Sometimes it may be necessary to spend the first night or two after surgery in the intensive care unit, where you will be closely monitored as you recover.
Once you begin to wake up, you will be moved to the bariatric surgery unit.

As You Completely Awaken, You Will Have:

A plastic tubing device delivering oxygen through your nose.
An IV in your arm to give you fluids.
A urinary catheter to drain your urine.
A telemetry monitor with leads to your chest wall to measure your heart function.

That evening, the nurses and doctors will ask you to sit up and use the breathing device to exercise your lungs. This is an important step that will speed your recovery and protect you from infection.

In the Days Following Surgery:

Your doctor will check on you every day to see how you are doing.
Your nurse will ask you to rate your pain using a pain scale of one to 10 (10 being the worst and one being little or none).
Unless instructed otherwise by your physician, it is important for you to get up and walk. Staying active immediately after surgery is essential to your recovery.
During your stay, the dietitian, physical therapist and a case manager/social worker may check on you.
Each of these specialists can provide you with information and guidance to support your recovery and help you get started on your weight-loss journey.

When You’re Ready to Go Home:

You’ll receive instructions for your first few days at home.
You’ll schedule an appointment to see your doctor within one week after you leave the hospital.
Your doctor will provide you with a contact phone number in case you have a concern.
If you experience persistent vomiting, call your doctor or, if this occurs outside of normal office hours, go to the emergency department of the nearest hospital.

In order to be successful in losing weight safely, you need to:

Carefully follow your doctor's instructions for eating and drinking.
Attend support group meetings. Those who participate in support groups have the easiest and most effective weight-loss experience.
Gradually increase your activity level at a pace agreed upon by you and your doctor. People who enjoy a regular exercise routine are more likely to build muscle and lose weight in a healthy way.
Be sure to get your prescriptions filled, and take the medicine and vitamins as directed.
Commit to a five-year follow-up with your bariatric program.
Avoid forever: Sugar and carbonation; chips, crackers, popcorn and pretzels; cookies, cake, candies and desserts (including sugar-free); anything with added sugar; more than one measured cup of coffee per day.

Getting Started

Your Weight-Loss Journey Has Just Begun.

Patient Information