Oral Intake
You will need to continue on optifast or free oral fluids for 2 weeks after your laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This is to ensure that food passes through the stomach easily, as the swelling in your stomach decreases and the staple lines mature. After 2 weeks you can start on a pureed diet, it is important if you have not seen a dietician prior to surgery that you see one in this period so you are on the right track when you are able to eat a normal diet. We can give you the name of a dietician we prefer to use.
Pain Relief
It is important that you take regular simple analgesia once you get home. Panadol and anti-inflammatory with food such as nurofen will help control pain. You may experience shoulder tip pain from the carbon dioxide used in the operation, hot packs or a wheat pack will help with this particularly when you are lying down. You will also need to take anti-acid medication after the surgery.
Wound care
Leave your dressings on for four days post discharge, if these are soiled prior to discharge then ward staff should change them. These dressings are water proof and can get wet in the shower, just let the water run over them and pat dry with a towel. All stitches are underneath the skin, so nothing has to be removed.
Exercise
Avoid heavy lifting for 2-3 weeks, as well as vigorous exercise. Gentle exercise such as walking can be undertaken. Most people will be fully recovered after 4 weeks including those who do manual labour. After 3 weeks ensure that you gradually increase the amount of exercise you undertake.
Follow up
Prof Barbour will see you 2-4 weeks after your operation and again after 2-3 months with bloods tests. Please make another appointment to see Prof. Barbour. Alternatively if you are feeling like it is difficult to eat or other concerns, you should make an appointment.