Bariatric Surgery
Before leaving the ward please check the following:
Do
Ensure you have requested a sick-note from the ward doctor or specialist nurse if you need one, you will need to be off work for a minimum of six weeks.
Ensure you have two pairs of stockings to take home to wear for six weeks day and night.
It may be advisable to be on liquid or dispersible medication for the first few weeks after your operation unless your medication is small tablets or capsules.
Please ensure you have seven days of painkillers and anti-sickness medication. After six weeks when you are tolerating normal textured food you should be able to manage all medications in tablet or capsule form.
Take lifelong Lansoprazole, multivitamins and minerals.
If you have had a bypass, you will also need to take lifelong Adcal Calcium supplements. Please ensure you leave an hour in between taking your Lansoprazole and Adcal.
Book a vitamin B12 injection with your practice nurse at three months after your operation and every three months lifelong thereafter.
Ensure you have blood thinning injections and you know how to give them to yourself. You will need them for ten days after your operation unless otherwise instructed.
Ensure you have received your dietetic advice and pureed recipe booklets.
Ensure when you go home you book an appointment with your practice nurse to have any stitches removed and your wound checked at 14 days after your operation.
Ensure your wounds are checked at six weeks after your operation by your practice nurse before you go swimming.
Check your insurance policy before driving – usually four to six weeks or when you can do an emergency stop.
You may resume intimate activities when you are ready.
Don’t
Do not do any abdominal exercises or heavy exercises until seen by a nurse specialist at six weeks post op, however, beginning low impact exercise immediately – such as walking – is essential.
Do not weigh yourself daily!
- If you struggle to open your bowels (have constipation) ask yourself if you are drinking two litres per day. If you need assistance, try glycerine suppositories or Senna liquid (not tablet form). You can purchase all of these over the counter at the pharmacy.
- The nurse specialist or dietitian will ring you within a couple of days of discharge.
- You will get an outpatient appointment in approximately six weeks with the specialist nurse and dietitian. If you have any queries regarding the appointment, then please contact your consultant’s secretary.
Contact us
- The James Cook University Hospital
Tel: 01642 854505 (available 24 hours) - The Bariatric Team
Telephone 01642 835724
Email: [email protected]
Bariatric surgery
Avoiding complications – Your checklist for home
| Complication | Possible causes | Ways to prevent it |
|---|---|---|
| Dehydration | Not enough fluid | Make sure you drink at least two litres of fluid each day. |
| Nausea and vomiting | Too much food | Follow the guidelines for portion control. Always stop eating when you feel full. |
| Food too large to fit into intestine | Chew foods very carefully. Make sure that your food is liquid before you swallow. | |
| Taste change | Add one new food at a time so that you learn what foods to avoid. | |
| Dumping syndrome | Eating concentrated amounts of sugar | Avoid table sugar, cakes, biscuits, doughnuts, hard sweets, chocolate bars, honey, cereals with added honey or sugar, ordinary jellies, jams and sugary drinks. |
| Eating too much food at one time | Make sure you are not eating too much food | |
| Constipation | Not enough fibre or food | Try to eat more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains. Choose wholemeal foods like bread, rice and pasta. Make sure you are drinking at least two litres of fluid per day. |
| Low energy and tiredness | Not enough protein | Make sure that you are eating protein in the quantity your dietitian has recommended. |
| Too little food | You should eat small, frequent meals at least six times per day-check your individual guide for suitable quantities. | |
| Vitamin and mineral deficiency | Not enough vitamins and, or minerals | Always take your multi-vitamin and mineral supplements recommended by your bariatric team. |
Patient experience
South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust would like your feedback. If you wish to share your experience about your care and treatment or on behalf of a patient, please contact The Patient Experience Department who will advise you on how best to do this.
This service is based at The James Cook University Hospital but also covers the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, our community hospitals and community health services.
To ensure we meet your communication needs please inform the Patient Experience Department of any special requirements, for example; braille or large print.
T: 01642 835964
E: [email protected]