Discharge Instructions for Bariatric (Obesity) Surgery

You have had a procedure called bariatric surgery. During this procedure, a healthcare provider surgically changed your stomach (and maybe your small intestine as well) so it can only hold a small amount of food at one time and/or absorb a certain amount of food at one time depending on which type of surgery you had. This should help you lose weight and decrease your risk of health problems such as diabetes, respiratory problems, and coronary artery disease.

This surgery will make it difficult for you to eat large amounts of solid foods. After the surgery, you must eat very small meals. Eating too much food or too fast may cause unpleasant symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or pain in your upper belly. You will need to make lifelong behavior changes after having bariatric surgery. 

Changes in how you eat

Here are suggestions to change how you eat:  

• Follow the diet that was prescribed for you by your healthcare provider. You may need to have only liquids for 2 weeks after the surgery, or you may be able to eat pureed foods. 
• Drink liquids in smaller amounts than you used to. This will make it easier for your body to digest liquids. However, it is important that you continue to drink liquids (in small amounts) throughout the day so that you do not become dehydrated. Some signs of dehydration include dry mouth and dark or little urine.
• Eat slowly. Plan on taking at least 20 to 30 minutes to finish a meal. Eating too much or too fast will cause nausea and vomiting.
• Prevent the unpleasant effects of dumping syndrome. This can happen after a bariatric operation. The syndrome refers to stomach pain and cramping, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, dizziness, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and bloating that happen after eating foods high in sugar, such as ice cream and milkshakes. Symptoms can happen within 10 to 30 minutes after eating, or sometimes as long as 2 to 3 hours after a meal. In some instances, fainting and weakness can also happen so it is best that you do not eat foods that could cause this.
• Take vitamin supplements as directed by your healthcare provider.  

Activity

Here are suggestions for being active after surgery:  

• Keep in mind that recovery takes several weeks. It is normal to feel tired. Rest as needed.
• Walk as often as you feel able. Increase your activity slowly.
• You can benefit from simple activities, such as walking or gardening. Ask your healthcare provider how and when to get started.
• Do not lift anything heavier than 10 pounds (4.5 kg). Avoid any stomach-straining exercises until your healthcare provider says it is OK. 
• Do not do strenuous chores, such as vacuuming or lifting full bags of garbage, until your healthcare provider says it is OK.
• Climb stairs slowly and pause after every few steps.
• Ask your healthcare provider when you can expect to return to work.

Home care

Suggestions for taking care of yourself after surgery: 

• Continue the coughing and deep breathing exercises you learned in the hospital.

• Shower as needed. But avoid baths, swimming pools, and hot tubs until your healthcare provider says it is OK. This helps prevent infection of the incision site.

• Keep the incision clean and dry. Wash the incision gently with mild soap and clean, running water. Then gently pat the incision dry with a towel.

• Follow your healthcare provider’s instructions about caring for the dressing covering your incisions.

• If your healthcare provider used small white adhesive strips (steri-strips) to close the incision, do not remove them. Let the strips fall off on their own. If they do not come off within 2 weeks after you were sent home, call your healthcare provider.

• Speak with your healthcare provider about taking or restarting medications at home, especially medicines for diabetes or long acting medicines. You may need to take your medicines in crushed or liquid form for 3 weeks after surgery.

• Medicines that are capsules or that are too big may be difficult for you to swallow.  Follow instructions as discussed with your healthcare provider before going home.

• Keep in mind that your medicines will need to be adjusted as you lose weight. Ask your healthcare provider about what changes you should make in your medicines. 

• If you use a CPAP or BiPAP machine for sleep apnea, do not stop using it without talking to your healthcare provider. 

• Learn to take your own pulse. Keep a record of your results. Ask your healthcare provider which readings mean that you need medical attention.

• Ask your healthcare provider when you can start driving again. Do not drive if you are taking pain medicine.

© The StayWell Company, LLC. 800 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions. This information has been modified by your health care provider with permission from the publisher.