Having surgery makes many people nervous or anxious. Knowing what to expect can help.
What to Expect Before Bariatric Surgery
Your surgeon will have specific instructions for you to follow, including but not limited to:
- A nurse will go over the consent for surgery and ask you some questions about your medications and medical history.
- An accurate height and weight will be taken.
- An I.V. will be placed in your arm for easy access for medications.
- At some point you will be taken to the operating room.
- Beginning the evening before the day of surgery eat very lightly.
- Bring a list of all of your medications with you.
- Do not wear jewelry.
- Do not wear makeup.
- Nothing to eat or drink after midnight.
- Remove all piercings.
- Remove nail polish.
- Report to the surgical waiting room.
- The nurse will place compression devices on your legs to aid circulation.
- Wear loose, comfortable clothing.
- You will be asked to remove all jewelry (if you haven't done so already) and clothing. You will then change into a hospital gown.
- You will meet with the anesthesiologist who will answer any of your questions regarding anesthesia.
Post-Bariatric Surgery Expectations
Following the operation, you will awake in the recovery room. You will be in recovery for a minimum of one hour before taken to your room.
Your family will be with you until you go to the operating room. At that time, they will be shown to the surgical waiting area. Your family, in most cases, will not see you until you are brought to a regular hospital room. The surgeon will come to talk to them following your surgery, while you are in the recovery room.