For many bariatric surgery patients, the day of surgery is a major milestone. Postsurgical patients often referred to this day as their “birthday” because it signifies a life-changing transformation.
Preparing for the Day of Surgery
It’s critical that you follow your surgeon’s specific instructions the day of surgery.
These instructions generally include:
- Do not drink or eat anything prior to surgery—most often this fasting period begins the night before surgery.
- Most medicines can be taken the day of surgery, just with small sips of water. Your doctor will have instructions regarding specific medications.
- Bring all of your medications with you.
- If you have a CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine, bring it with you for use in the hospital.
- Arrive early; some hospitals and surgery centers require patients to arrive two hours early.
What to Expect the Day of Surgery
- When you arrive, you will undergo several preoperative steps.
- You will speak with your nurses, and often, your surgeon and 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.
- Your anesthesiologist or anesthetician will provide you with anesthesia medications to put you under.
- Bariatric procedures, whether they are minimally invasive or open, generally take 75 to 90 minutes.
- After surgery, your healthcare team will continue monitoring you and arrange for you to be taken to recovery.
If you have questions or concerns about your surgery, discuss them with your bariatric surgeon. For helpful information, visit the Resource Library.
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