Vertical Banded Gastroplasty Discharge Instructions

para>This is an image of a persons abdominal organs. There are two modifications. First, staples split the stomach into two parts. Second, a plastic band wraps around the small opening.View Original

This is an image of a person's abdominal organs. There are two modifications. First, staples split the stomach into two parts. Second, a plastic band wraps around the small opening.

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This is a series of images showing how to care for your wound. They include washing your hands, having the doctor take out your stitches or staples, not removing the small pieces of tape over the wound, taking care of your dressing, and watching for signs of infection like pus or redness around the wound.

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What care is needed at home?

Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
Drink water slowly. To help with belly fullness, do not take fluids when you eat. Drink 30 minutes before or after meals. Good fluids to drink are water, skim milk, tea, and diet drinks.
Your doctor may have you wear special stockings. These will help to prevent blood clots.
Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut sites. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
Be sure to wash your hands before touching your wound or dressing.

What follow-up care is needed?

Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits.
If you have stitches or staples, you will need to have them taken out. Your doctor will often want to do this in 1 to 2 weeks.

What lifestyle changes are needed?

Start an exercise program when cleared by your doctor.
Stay away from beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Drinking them can cause serious health problems after surgery. Avoid sodas and drinks that are carbonated.
If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
Your body will adjust to the smaller amount of food you eat. You may feel tired, anxious, and depressed. Keep yourself active and busy while you get used to this change. Get help from your counselor or doctor if your feelings are getting in the way of your daily routine.

What drugs may be needed?

The doctor may order drugs to:
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Prevent gallstones
- Lessen stomach acid
Your doctor will talk to you about the food and mineral supplements that you need after surgery. Chewable vitamins may be easier for you to take and are absorbed more easily. You may need to take them 2 times each day.
You may need to crush pills before taking them. If your drug cannot be crushed, ask for it in a liquid form.

Will physical activity be limited?

You may need to limit your activity for a while. Talk with your doctor about the right amount of activity for you.
Once you are feeling better, start with a daily walk of 5 or 10 minutes and slowly add to the amount of time that you walk. As you become more in shape, ask your doctor about exercises to build your strength.
Regular exercise must become a part of your daily routine for you to lose weight.

What changes to diet are needed?

Eat small meals 4 to 6 times a day. Small is 2 ounces.
Puree your food for the first 6 weeks after the procedure.
Once the doctor allows you to eat solid food, chew your food properly. Eat slowly and take small bites.
Eat a healthy diet with enough protein.
Avoid foods high in sugar which can cause upset stomach and bloating.
Stay away from beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Drinking them can cause serious health problems after surgery. Avoid sodas and drinks that are carbonated.
If you are a smoker, stop smoking.
Your body will adjust to the smaller amount of food you eat. You may feel tired, anxious, and depressed. Keep yourself active and busy while you get used to this change. Get help from your counselor or doctor if your feelings are getting in the way of your daily routine.

What problems could happen?

Bleeding or blood clots
Infection
Gallstones or kidney stones
Leaks or blocks where the bowels were sewn together
Throwing up if you eat too much or too fast
Stomach pouch gets bigger and you gain back weight
Breaking or slipping of the band
Loss of fluids from not drinking enough water
Short-term hair loss from not eating enough protein
Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.
Stitches or staples may loosen

When do I need to call the doctor?

Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, pain with passing urine.
Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
Upset stomach and throwing up
Very loose stools
Blood in vomit or stool
Pain in the belly, chest, or legs
Low mood
You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse

Helpful tips

Gastric bypass alone is not a solution to lose weight. Control what you eat and exercise to have success in losing weight and keeping the weight off.
When you weigh yourself, do it in the morning in your underwear.
Put a pillow on your belly when you cough to lessen the pain.
You may feel a lot of changes in your body. Your menstrual cycle may change after the surgery. Your skin and hair may feel brittle or fall out if you dont eat enough protein-rich food. Talk to your doctor about these changes.
Continue to work with your doctor for any other health problems. Your diabetes and high blood pressure may improve. Your doctor may need to change how much of your drugs you are taking as you lose weight.

Teach Back: Helping You Understand

The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚

I can tell you about my procedure.
I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, belly pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.

Where can I learn more?

American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery ‚
http://asmbs.org/benefits-of-bariatric-surgery/ ‚
Weight Control Information Network ‚
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm ‚

Last Reviewed Date

2015-08-31 ‚

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Gastrointestinal

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care provider 's advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚

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