Day of Surgery 

For many weight-loss surgery patients, the long-anticipated day of surgery is an exciting end to a long wait. It’s often referred to by post surgical patients as their “birthday,” because of the life-changing transformation of health they’ve achieved.

Preparing for the day of surgery is like preparing for many other surgeries: Your surgeon will have specific instructions for you to follow. A few of the more frequently given instructions include:

• Do not drink or eat anything prior to surgery, beginning the evening before the day of surgery.
• Most medicines can be taken the day of surgery, just with small sips of water (however, your doctor will have instructions regarding specific medications).
• Bring all of your medications with you.
• Bring your CPAP machine, if you have one, for use in the hospital.
• Arrive early; some hospitals and surgery centers require patients to be up to two hours early.

When you arrive, you will undergo a few preoperative steps. You will change out of your clothes. You will see your nurses, and often, you will see your surgeon as well as your anesthesiologist. An IV line will be started to keep you hydrated and to administer medications such as antibiotics. The preoperative experience is often a short one, after which you will be taken to the operating room.

After surgery, in the recovery room, you can expect to have some discomfort and feel the effects of the surgery (this can last for several days). Unfortunately, you may feel worse before you feel better.  In the early days after surgery, you may not feel much different. Even though you’ve taken a big step, you may find yourself asking what has changed.

There are short-term risks. All abdominal operations carry the risks of bleeding, infection in the incision, blood clots, lung problems (pneumonia, pulmonary embolisms), strokes or heart attacks, anesthetic complications, and blockage or obstruction of the intestines. These risks are greater in patients suffering from morbid obesity. You should be aware that some surgical side effects, such as a blood clot, can be life-threatening. According to the 2004 consensus statement from the ASMBS, the risk of death during bariatric surgery is less than one percent.