Patient Education Bariatric Surgery Patient Education | Page 12

Discharge Instructions
• Plan for someone to be home with you for at least the first day after
you’re discharged from the hospital.
• You will not be able to drive until cleared by your surgeon and no
longer taking narcotic pain medication.
• Do not ride in a car for more than 1 hour without getting out and
walking for 10 minutes.
• Do not take a tub bath or use a hot tub or swimming pool for at least 3
weeks (or until your incision is healed). You may shower.
• Do not have sexual activity for 3 weeks. You are strongly encouraged
to avoid pregnancy for 2 years after surgery. Contact your
gynecologist or family doctor to discuss birth control options if you are
not currently protected.
• Continue to use your incentive spirometer every 2 hours while you’re
awake.
• Walk every 4 hours while you’re awake.
• Avoid sitting for long periods of time.
• Plan to be off work until your surgeon says you can return to work.
• Do not lift anything over 5-10 pounds for 6 weeks.
• You may climb stairs slowly.
• You’re required to quit all nicotine and tobacco for at least 6 weeks
after surgery.
• If you experience nausea or vomiting for more than 24 hours and
are unable to keep clear liquids down, call your surgeon or go to the
Emergency Room.
• Go to the Mount Carmel Grove City Emergency Room if you have
nausea and vomiting with severe abdominal pain lasting longer than 4
hours. This is not a normal part of recovery.
• Call your surgeon if anything you feel is “abnormal for you”.
• Plan to return to your family or specialty doctor 1-3 weeks after
surgery.
• If you need to contact a bariatric specialist, please leave a detailed
message with your surgeon’s office at 614-228-0768. If you feel it’s
an emergency, go to the Mount Carmel Grove City Emergency Room
where a bariatric specialist will be available.
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