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Medications

You may be prescribed the following:

• Pain medications.
• Blood thinners to prevent blood clots.
• to prevent or treat infections.
• Pantoloc (Pantoprazole) to prevent stomach ulcers and heartburn. You may take this for 6 months or longer.
• Ursodiol to prevent gallstones. You may take this for 6 months or more.

When You Arrive

• Go directly to Unit 24.
• Once on the unit, you will confirm your identification and health history. You have followed instructions about what medications to take the day of surgery.

Your Surgery

• You will be taken via stretcher to the operating room (OR) holding area. There you will meet one of the nurses caring for you and your anesthetist. You will be asked to confirm your identification, the surgery you will be having, review your surgical consent and discuss any other concerns at this time.
• You will then be wheeled or walked to the OR and asked to move onto the OR bed.
• An IV will be started in the OR.
• After surgery you will be taken to the recovery room, where you will be closely monitored as you wake up from surgery.

When You Wake Up

• An IV in your hand or arm to give you fluids and medications.
• An oxygen mask or tubing on your face.
• A blood pressure cuff on your arm.
• A monitor on your finger to measure oxygen levels (looks like a clothespin).
• Stockings on your legs that inflate and deflate automatically to promote blood circulation.
• Three to six small incisions on your abdomen covered with small bandages.
• Once you are fully awake you will be taken to unit 23 to continue your recovery.
• When you are cleared to begin to drink, you will start a clear fluid or full fluid diet (depends on the type of surgery you have had) and will be discharged within 1 ¨C 2 days.
• You will be asked to get up and walk frequently and to wear compression stockings (support hose) to help prevent blood clots in your legs.
• Your nurse will instruct you in how to do deep breathing and coughing exercises to prevent pneumonia. .
• You may be asked to use an incentive spirometer.
• Usual stay for a sleeve gastrectomy is one night, with a gastric bypass it is usually 2 ¨C 3 nights.

Hygiene

• You may shower once you get home.
• Do not take a bath, use a hot tub or swim until your incisions are completely healed, usually one month after surgery.

Physical Activity

• For the first month after surgery, start with short walks a few times a day. As you feel better, you will be able to walk longer distances, more frequently. Remember- movement is medicine.
• You may resume sexual activity when you are comfortable and feel ready to do so.
• Do not carry or lift anything heavier than 10 pounds for 4 ¨C 6 weeks. This would include grocery bags, laundry, suitcases. vacuum cleaners, pets and children!
• Speak to your surgeon or your RN Case Manager about when it is safe to resume other activities and exercise routines.

Surgical Complications

Monday ¨C Friday 8 am to 4 pm, you may call the clinic if you are unsure as to what to do. One of the RNs will advise you of next steps.

Discharge from the Clinic

At the twelve month mark, you will be transitioned back to your family physician and community resources as required who will continue to monitor your ongoing health.

Understanding Your Weight After Surgery

• Bariatric surgery is a tool to help you manage obesity and improve your overall health
• People lose weight at different rates. Periods of rapid weight loss followed by periods of no weight loss are common in the first year after surgery. Some people will lose weight at a fairly consistent rate. Don¡¯t compare your progress with others.
• Many people expect to lose more weight than may be realistic. Therefore do not set weight loss goals. Having unrealistic expectation may bring up negative emotions when the goal is not met. Instead focus on improvements in your overall health overall wellbeing.
• It is important it understand the concept of best weight. A patient's best weight is whatever weight they achieve while living the healthiest lifestyle they can truly enjoy. There comes a point when a person cannot eat less or exercise more and still like their life.
• Weight regain of 5 ¨C 10% after you have reached your lowest weight is not unusual. This weight would be your best weight.
• You will likely still have obesity following bariatric surgery, but you will hopefully enjoy the many health and lifestyle benefits weight loss offers.

Nutrition

Relationships

• Some people may be jealous or resentful of your weight loss and may try to sabotage your weight management efforts. You will need to be prepared to communicate assertively with these people. Invite them to change their attitude and become part of your support system. Sadly, if they are not willing to change, the relationship may have to end.
• You may find a new confidence after weight loss which results in creating new and healthy relationships. Surround yourself with people who are positive and who support you.

Managing Mental Health

• You might expect to experience only positive emotions and improved mental health after surgery as you have lost weight. However, as with any major life event, you may experience negative emotions as well, such as sadness, anger, stress, boredom, depression and anxiety.
• You may have regrets about having had the surgery at all. Be prepared to experience both emotional ups and downs.
• You can manage your mental health using resources already in place.

Suggested Resources

• Red Deer Bariatric Specialty Clinic Mental Health Team
• Your family physician
• Your area Primary Care Network
• Addiction & Mental Health Helpline
• Health Link
• Red Deer 49 Street Community Health Centre ¨C Addiction & Mental Health