PRIOR TO YOUR OPERATION
The hospital will advise you what time you need to turn up - generally for morning procedures you need to be at front reception by 6-6:30am, for afternoon procedures you will need to be there by 9:30-10am.
Once you've arrived you'll be in a waiting area until a bed is allocated to you. You'll be asked to change into a patient gown and to wear some tight stockings. These are called TEDS and designed to decrease the risk of clots in your legs. If you have not worn these before you will be fitted for them on admission.
The nursing staff will check you in and ensure you have been appropriately fasted, check your consent form and had the required medication. Sometimes the anaesthetist will give you a medication for anxiety prior to the procedure - if you would like this and haven't been asked, do let the nursing staff know to contact the anaesthetist for you.
The surgeon and the anaesthetist will meet you in the holding bay prior to your operation, to answer any last minute questions you might have.
THE OPERATION
A sleeve gastrectomy will generally take 45 minutes to an hour. A gastric bypass will take anywhere between 1-2 hours on average. Please see each page for further information.
AFTER THE OPERATION
Once you've woken up in theatre you will be wheeled into the recovery area. You won't remember much of this period as the anaesthetic will still have an effect. The anaesthetist and recovery team will monitor your vital signs as you wake up. Once you're fully awake the recovery nurse will hand over your care to the ward nurse and orderly who will pick you up for transfer.
NIGHT AFTER THE OPERATION
Even though you're on the ward you may not remember a lot of your recovery at this stage. Your friends and relatives are welcome to visit you when you are back on the ward; unless you're in ICU (see below). Check with your hospital for visiting hours and maximum number of visitors.
You are allow to sip fluid but you will have intravenous fluids running so no need to drink very much.
ICU STAY
Some patients will require an ICU stay for 1 night after the operation. This is generally to ensure you are looked after by 1:1 experienced and specialised nursing staff who watch for breathing difficulties, blood pressure dips or rises, and pain control. This is reserved for those with severe sleep apnoea, BMI above 50 or multiple medical issues.
