NPO After Surgery?
I had surgery in the morning but they didn't do the "leak test" until the next morning. So I had to be NPO that entire time. I was never so thirsty in my life! You'll want to have lots of lip balm on hand for the dry, dry lips. (Usually some nice nurses will let you have a few - very few - ice chips).
I understand why we can't eat/drink prior to the surgery, however I was wondering why nothing can be eaten or drunk the first day at all after? I am reading the surgery manual for mine next month, and it says he orders NPO for a full 24 hours. I will ask him for sure, but my next follow up is in a few weeks and I am perpetually curious. :)
actually,NPO the first 24 hours,minimal,is standard procedure for any abdominal surgery.
Our surgeon didn't allow anything for 24 hours post op. They said I wasn't even supposed to use chapstick. The nurse said it was to decrease acid production. I used the chapstick anyway and turned the humidity up on my cPAP. I really didn't want anything. Slept mostly.
HW=362(6/14) SW=314(9/14) GW=195 CW=270 (1-26-2020)
So interesting reading everyone's experiences. I was able to drink water immediately as I woke up. In fact the surgeon would not leave until he was sure I could drink. Leak test was done in surgery. I took small sips of water pretty much all night in between sleep. The next morning I had tea and broth during the day and tea and broth...and then I was released home and could progress my food as I could tolerate. There was the blended phase and soft foods pretty much right away. By day three for sure. I could have yogurt and soft boiled eggs and blended soup. And protein shakes of course. By three weeks post op I was on regular foods apart from raw veggies, nuts and the like. I waited til about three months out for anything crunchy or hard.
I had surgery at 7am and within twelve hours was offered ice chips, the following morning I started drinking water out of little 1 ounce cups. I worked with the ice chips because I was bound and determined to be a good patient and go home as soon as I possibly could, but between the pain pump, anti nausea meds and IV the last thing I wanted was to put stuff in my stomach that first day! By the next morning I was fine with tiny sips of room temperature water, but even that doesn't feel super awesome for the first day or two.
My leak test was done while I was still under for the procedure. I ended up with quite a bit of blue dye on my shoulder/back lol. I was pretty groggy after and my blood oxygen went down so they put me on oxygen (which I enjoyed). That perked me up and they gave me water right then. Of course it was about eight hours after surgery.
Different surgeons, different requirements. My surgeon, NPO for 24 hours. My wife's surgeon, gave her ice chips after recovery. For me, those 24 hours were pure torture. Acid production was my surgeon's reasoning.
Surgery Date 04-22-14 HW 2011 388(lost 60lbs on WW, regained 40) Surgery Consult Weight 1/10/14 - 367 SW 357 - CW 9/15 210.
Stalls are your body's way of telling you not to get too cocky.
5K - 1st 59:00(9/14) PR 33:45(9/15)
10K - 1:14(10/15) 1/2 - 1st 3/20/16
OK...i just have to ask...What does the acronym NPO stand for? I get we are talking about not drinking liquid after surgery, but I can't figure out the acronym. :-)
5'7" HW 256 (1/6/2014) SW 236.2 (VSG: 1/26/2015) CW 165.5 (01/10/2016) Total Weight Lost 90.5
Pre-Op: -19.8; Month 1: -19; Month 2: -12.7; Month 3: -9.9; Month 4: -7.2; Month 5: -6.4; Month 6: -2.8; Month 7: -3.7; Month 8: -4.2; Month 9: -0.6; Month 10: -2.1; Month 11: -0 Month 12: -2.1
GOALS: BMI Normal = 159 (6.5 to go); 100 LBs Lost = 156 (9.5 to go); FINAL GOAL: 139?? (26.5 to go)