What to Bring to Hospital
- Any medications you take (in their original boxes/bottles).
- Scans you've had done with Dr. Zarrouk or Dr. Kirby.
- Comfortable clothes or pyjamas to walk around the ward.
- Comfortable shoes/slippers.
- Toiletries.
- Fiji water (many people find Fiji water easier to drink than regular water).
- Diet cordial or similar to mix into water, making it easier to drink.
- CPAP machine if you use one for sleep apnoea.
Packing Tips:
- Bring comfortable clothes and shoes for walking.
- Pack toiletries and any medications you take.
- Consider bringing Fiji water or diet cordial to make drinking easier.
Admission Through to Post-Op
- Day Before Surgery: The hospital will inform you of your arrival and fasting times.
- Arrival: Go to the front desk to be admitted through the Day Surgery Unit.
- Preparation:
- Change into a hospital gown.
- Put on TED stockings.
- Transfer to Surgery:
- A wardsman will take you on a bed to the anaesthetic bay.
- Wait until they are ready to begin surgery.
- Recovery:
- Spend at least 1 hour in the Recovery Ward post-surgery.
- You will be transferred to either the High Dependency Unit (HDU) or a monitored surgical bed.
- After Arrival at Surgical/HDU Ward:
- Nurses will notify your Next of Kin.
- You will be connected to a heart monitor, blood pressure monitor, and oxygen saturation monitor until the following day (can be disconnected for walking).
- Intravenous fluids will be provided to keep you hydrated.
Triflow Incentive Spirometer
- Purpose: Helps open small air spaces in the lungs and clear secretions, preventing chest infections.
- How to Use:
- Exhale completely.
- Place your lips around the mouthpiece.
- Inhale deeply, aiming to lift all three balls and hold for a few seconds.
- Use 5 times every hour while awake.
- Reminder: Take the device home and continue using it for at least 2 weeks.
Triflow Tips:
- Use the device 5 times every hour while awake.
- Take it home and continue using it for 2 weeks.
Mobility
- Importance: Start mobilizing as soon as it is safe after surgery.
- Helps expand your lungs.
- Restores circulation to your legs and extremities.
- Alleviates gas pain.
Mobility Tips:
- Start walking as soon as it is safe after surgery.
- Walking helps prevent complications like blood clots and lung infections.
Medications
- Paracetamol:
- Initially given through IV.
- From the day after surgery, given in liquid form to drink.
- Pain Relief:
- Gas pain may occur (usually in the chest or shoulder tips) due to carbon dioxide gas from surgery.
- Ask your nurse for Oxynorm Liquid if strong pain relief is needed.
- Anti-Nausea Medication:
- Given through IV.
- Ask your nurse if you still feel nauseous.
- Nexium (for reflux and staple line healing):
- Given through IV twice a day while in hospital.
- Switch to tablet form for 3 months after discharge.
- Blood Thinning Injections:
- Prevent blood clots.
- Administered during the hospital stay.
- Diabetic Patients:
- May be put on a sliding scale of insulin (even if not normally required).
- Blood sugar levels will be checked every 4-6 hours, and insulin will be given as needed.
Medication Tips:
- Take Nexium for 3 months to help with reflux and healing.
- Ask for Oxynorm Liquid if you experience severe gas pain.
Prevention of Blood Clots (DVT & PE)
- TED Stockings: Wear in the hospital and continue wearing for 2 weeks at home.
- Pneumatic Calf Compressors: Worn during the operation and remain on until the morning after surgery.
- Blood Thinners:
- Heparin or Clexane administered in hospital.
- Clexane injections to be continued at home once a day for 2 weeks.
Blood Clot Prevention Tips:
- Wear TED stockings for 2 weeks after surgery.
- Continue Clexane injections at home for 2 weeks.
Diet
- After Surgery: Begin with clear fluids.
- Day After Surgery:
- Progress to free fluids.
- Take small sips only.
- Avoid straws to prevent gas buildup.
- Discharge Requirement:
- Drink at least 1L of water in 24 hours.
- Mix apple juice or diet cordial with water to make it easier to drink.
Diet Tips:
- Start with clear fluids and progress to free fluids.
- Take small sips and avoid straws.
- Mix apple juice or diet cordial with water to make drinking easier.
General Post-Operative Advice
- Start slowly with sipping water and other clear fluids.
- Be aware that your stomach is swollen and tender, so it may be difficult to consume large quantities at first.
- Tips for Drinking:
- Take small sips and stop if you feel nauseous or full.
- Avoid gulping or drinking a whole glass quickly.
- Sip other liquids like clear soups, jellies, milk, custard, diet cordials, tea, and coffee slowly.
- Suck on ice cubes if feeling dehydrated.
Discharge
- Instructions: Refer to the Bariatric Surgery Discharge and First 2 Weeks Instructions.
- Medications: The hospital will provide scripts for medications upon discharge.
- Appointments: You will be given your first follow-up appointments before leaving the hospital.
Discharge Tips:
- Follow the discharge instructions carefully.
- Take all prescribed medications as directed.
- Attend your follow-up appointments as scheduled.
Key Reminders
- Sip, Sip, Sip: Stay hydrated by sipping fluids slowly.
- Walk, Walk, Walk: Mobilize as soon as it is safe.
- Breathe, Breathe, Breathe: Use your triflow device regularly.
Key Reminders:
- Stay hydrated by sipping fluids slowly.
- Walk regularly to aid recovery.
- Use the Triflow device to prevent chest infections.
