Before surgery
Shortly before your surgery day, someone from our office will call you. We will tell you when and where to arrive for your procedure. We recommend you leave all valuables at home, including jewelry.
Your surgery day
Bringing certain items from home may make your stay more comfortable. We recommend you bring:
- An overnight bag with toiletries, such as a toothbrush, toothpaste, and soap
- Bathrobe and slippers
- Comfortable, loose-fitting clothes to wear home
After you check in at the hospital on your surgery day, here’s what you can expect:
- You will change into a hospital gown and slippers. We will ask you to remove your dentures, hearing aids, and corrective lenses.
- A nurse will place an intravenous line (IV) in your arm while you are in the pre-operative area. Your surgeon and anesthesia team will meet with you and your family to answer any last-minute questions you may have.
- We will wheel you back to the operating room and connect you to a variety of monitors. These monitors allow us to watch you closely during the procedure.
- Our anesthesiologist will give you medications through your IV to help you relax and put you to sleep.
- After you are asleep, our team will carefully place an endotracheal tube through your mouth into your windpipe to help you breathe. You will be asleep when this happens.
- Your surgery begins.
Immediately after the surgery is completed:
- You will wake up in the operating room while being cared for by our compassionate nurses.
- Our team will move you to a recovery room, which allows us to closely monitor you.
- Your surgeon will update your family on your progress.
- Once your vital signs are stable, we will transfer you to an inpatient room, where you can continue your recovery in comfort.
- Our nursing staff will help you get out of bed the evening after surgery and let you sit in a chair.
Your hospital stay
Here’s what you can expect during your hospital stay:
- Length of hospital stay: Most of our bariatric patients stay in the hospital for one night. How long you stay in the hospital depends on your health and circumstances. Nurses will monitor your health around-the-clock. In the days after surgery, your surgeon will assess your progress.
- Walking after surgery: During your stay, we’ll encourage you to walk several times per day. Walking and breathing exercises can help speed your recovery and prevent complications.
- Pain management: While some pain is normal after surgery, we’ll help you manage pain through IV or other medications, as necessary.
- Bariatric surgery diet: Your physician may recommend a clear liquid diet starting the day after surgery. Sipping fluids slowly can keep you from getting dehydrated.
- Heading home: Your surgical team will di
