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Admission is usually in the morning (9 o’clock) on the day before the operation. This day is used to carry out a complete check-up: blood test, cardiogram, radiography of the lungs, lung function examination, and visit by the anaesthetist. All these checks are an important part of making sure the operation is as safe as possible. If you are on medication, you must inform a member of the medical team.
You will be given a first subcutaneous injection as a precaution against thrombosis.
You will be asked not to eat after midnight on the evening prior to surgery.
- Day 0: day of the operation
One hour prior to surgery you will be taken in your bed to the operating area. There, the operating room nurse will meet you and take you to the operating room. After having a drip placed in your arm, you will be put to sleep by the anaesthetist.
The operation usually takes between an hour-and-a-half and three hours. Although it is agreed that the operation will start off with keyhole surgery, it may prove impossible to do this. Your doctor will then decide whether or not to proceed with open surgery.
On waking from anaesthesia you will be taken to PAC (Post Anaesthetic Care) where you will be able to come round under further supervision. After waking you may experience pain in the shoulders as a result of your abdomen being inflated during the operation. You may also feel tension in the stomach wall and pain around a few operating canals. This pain is usually minor and disappears itself after a few days, although some patients may have a need of painkillers.
- Day 1: return to your room
On the morning after the operation you will be returned to your room. On this day another radiological photo is taken after giving you a small amount of contrast to drink. This examination confirms that the contrast passes freely through the stomach. It is recommended that you become mobile as early as possible, and that you leave your bed and walk around the room.
At this point you may carefully ingest fluids. Depending on his or her wishes, the patient can start with liquid foods on this day (such as yoghurt)
If everything is going well, and the pain is acceptable, and you can ingest fluids and food, you will be allowed to leave the hospital. A dietician will come to explain how your food intake must evolve over the weeks to come. You will be given a list of appropriate foods.
If you do not yet feel fit or are experiencing some form of difficulty, we recommend that you stay 1 or more extra days in hospital until everything is under control and you can leave without risk.
A few important recommendations: Avoid taking a lot of sugar.
Stick to small meals (avoid overeating”!)
In the event of a problem contact your GP or Dr L. Lemmens (during consultation hours). You can also contact the hospital department for further help and advice.
STAY IN CONTROL, EVEN WHEN YOU FEEL GOOD!
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Gastric Bypass