Question:
Some things to expect post-op?

Information on what generally happens to RNY patients, post op: (from a bariatric surgery website). After surgery, patients are taken to the recovery room until they are fully awake. Time in recovery is usually four to six hours. Depending upon the degree of the obesity, The severity of any co-morbid conditions, age, post-operative complications and other factors, further observation and treatment in the intensive care unit may be required. All patients on C-Pap Machines for Sleep Apnea. usually are observed in the intensive care unit. After being released from the recovery room patients are taken to their room . The nurse will closely monitor vital signs for the first day, then every four hours thereafter. Pain will be controlled by medication as proscribed by the surgeon. If pain is not being controlled, the nurse should be advised. The pain medication will be given by injection or orally. Usually by the third day the IV fluids are discontinued. A Foley catheter will be in place to drain urine. This is usually removed the day after surgery at which time the patient will be assisted to the bathroom. Patient will need to breathe deeply and cough every two hours while awake. Also an incentive spirometer will be used to help expand the lungs and prevent post-operative complications. An upper GI series may be done on the first or second day after surgery (post-op) to insure proper functioning of the new stomach pouch. When this is confirmed, limited ingestion of clear liquids will be started with one ounce per hour maximum. No carbonated or caffeine drinks are allowed, also no straws. For the first few weeks after the operation the tissue of the stomach intestine will go through a process of continued healing and strengthening. In the unlikely event of repeated overeating, extreme pressure may occur causing the stomach or anastomosis to enlarge. This enlargement could cause the operation ultimately to fail by allowing the new pouch to empty too soon or enlarge too much. Follow-up Office Visits Visits with the doctor after surgery occur frequently in the immediate post-operative period, then every one to three months during the first year. weight loss, diet and exercise programs will be reviewed. Physical examination and laboratory tests will be performed as needed. Follow-up is extremely important to every gastric bypass surgery patient. Although some of the tools for weight reduction will have been provided, learning to use these tools properly is not easy. In the first three to six months after the operation, hunger will not be a factor. We call this the "honeymoon" because life seems so easy and weight loss seems almost effortless. This first six month period of weight loss may be deceptive however. When the pouch gets large enough so that getting an adequate amount of fluid does not require drinking three or four times an hour, there will be times when hunger will appear once again. This should not be the craving, hunger experienced before...but it will be experienced as a desire to eat. At this point in the program patients need to learn how to deal with that hunger, particularly if it returns within an hour or two after the previous meal.    — kathy S. (posted on July 5, 2000)

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