Care at home
Weight loss surgery (sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass)
Dr. Aslam Baba
Surgical Gastroenterologist
+91 99851 88851
Surgical Gastroenterologist
+91 99851 88851
Patient name
Date of surgery
Stitchesdissolve on their own / remove on
Follow-up visit on
Call +91 99851 88851 if you have
- You cannot keep fluids down, or you feel very thirsty, dizzy or pass very little dark urine
- Fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or more
- A cut that is red, swollen or leaking
- Low sugar readings, or feeling shaky and sweaty, if you have diabetes
- Food keeps coming back up
Go to the nearest emergency department now if you have
- A fast heartbeat at rest, with or without fever
- Severe pain in the abdomen or left shoulder
- Chest pain or difficulty breathing
- Vomiting blood, or black stools
- Painful swelling of one calf
The first day at home
- You will usually stay in hospital for one to three days.
- You will start with small sips of water, then clear liquids.
- Walking soon after surgery lowers the risk of clots in the legs and chest problems. Walk several times a day.
Wound care
- Keep the small dressings dry for 48 hours. After that you may bathe and pat the cuts dry.
- Do not soak in a tub or swim until the cuts have healed.
Pain
- Soreness at the cuts and in the shoulder tip is common for a few days.
- Use liquid or crushed medicines if you were told to. Ask before crushing any tablet.
Eating and drinking
- Weeks 1 and 2: liquids only, such as water, clear soup, buttermilk, coconut water and protein drinks.
- Weeks 3 and 4: soft, mashed food such as dal, curd, khichdi and mashed vegetables.
- From week 5: soft solid food, then normal food slowly, as your dietitian advises.
- Take small sips all day so that you do not get dehydrated. Do not drink with meals; wait about 30 minutes before and after eating.
- Eat protein first. Chew well. Stop at the first feeling of fullness.
- Avoid fizzy drinks, sweet drinks, fruit juice and alcohol.
When can I
| Walking | From the day of surgery, several times a day |
|---|---|
| Bath or shower | After 48 hours |
| Desk work | Usually after about two weeks |
| Driving | When you can brake hard without pain, usually after one to two weeks |
| Lifting heavy things | Avoid for about four weeks |
| Exercise | Build up walking every week; gym after about four to six weeks, as advised |
These are usual times. Your own times may be different; follow what you are told at discharge.
My medicines
| Medicine | Dose | When | For how many days |
|---|---|---|---|
Your diabetes and blood pressure medicines usually need to change after this surgery. Take only the doses written on your discharge summary. Take your vitamin and mineral supplements every day, for life.
My recovery checklist
- Walking several times a day
- Drinking enough fluids every day
- Taking vitamins every day
- Moved to soft food on schedule
- Diabetes and BP medicines checked
- Follow-up and blood tests done