Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsLocationWhat to WearFood and DrinkMedicationsWhat to BringNext in Gastric Bypass Surgery GuideGastric Bypass Surgery: Recovery
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Location
What to Wear
Food and Drink
Medications
What to Bring
Next in Gastric Bypass Surgery Guide
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Next, you will be taken to the operating room where you will be given anesthesia medications to put you to sleep. You will not feel any pain or remember anything from the surgery.
While asleep, and just prior to the surgeon making any incisions, anendotracheal (breathing) tube,urinary catheter, and an orogastric tube (to decompress your stomach) will be placed. Inflatable compression devices will also be placed on your legs to preventblood clots.
Your surgeon will likely advise you to shower either the night before or the morning of the surgery using a special type of antibacterial soap. You may be asked to focus on washing your abdominal area (where the surgery will take place).
It’s important to leave jewelry, credit cards, and other valuables at home. In addition, do not wear any of the following on the day of your surgery:
About one to four weeks prior to surgery, your surgeon will ask you to begin a low-calorie liquid diet. This diet generally consists of two or more protein shakes daily, along with eight glasses of zero-calorie liquids, such as:
In small amounts, patients can also usually have the following:
The purpose of this strictly liquid diet is to decrease the size and stiffness of your liver. This will help your surgeon avoid injury to your abdominal organs during the actual surgery.
One or two days before surgery, you will probably be asked to only consume clear liquids. Then, on the eve of your surgery, you will be told not to eat or drink anything after 10 pm or midnight.
Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will instruct you to stop various medications prior to undergoing surgery. For example, about seven to 10 days prior to surgery, you will be advised to stop anynonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)like Motrin (ibuprofen), or Aleve (naproxen).
Starting the day or night before your operation, you may be asked to begin a bowel cleansing preparation. Instructions may vary, so be sure to follow your surgeon’s directions. Reach out to them if you have any questions.
Pre-Op Lifestyle Changes
A Word From Verywell
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
University of Michigan Medicine.Showering instructions before surgery.
UCSF Health.Recovery from bariatric surgery.
University of Pittsburgh.Preparing for bariatric surgery.
American Society of Anesthesiologists.Risks: Smoking.
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