Recovery
What can you expect after surgery?
In
the immediate post-operative period the patient
will go to the recovery room and will be
monitored as he or she wakes up from anesthesia.
From the recovery room, the patient is transferred
to one of Penn Presbyterian Medical Center's
surgical patient floors. The nursing staff
reviews key recovery points with the patient
regarding pain control and pain medication.
The staff discusses activity, diet, use of
an incentive spirometer and use of the patient's
CPAP mask, if needed.
After the patient has demonstrated tolerance
of clear liquids, he or she is evaluated
for discharge. Most patients follow this progression
and are discharged within 3-5 days. Complete
discharge instructions are given to each patient.
Frequent follow-up appointments are scheduled
with the patient's surgeon and dietitian.
Keeping these appointments are essential
to insure that the patient is recovering
from surgery, meeting the protein, fluid,
vitamin and mineral needs, progressing
as expected toward the weight loss goal
and establishing the foundations of a healthy
new lifestyle.
In addition to postoperative monitoring
by the patient's health care team,
we recognize the importance of peer support,
ongoing education and contact with health
professionals. Patients who undergo bariatric
surgery to improve their health usually
benefit from attendance at a support group
meeting.
Support group members consist of preoperative
and post-operative patients and the family
and friends supporting them. Support meetings
are one way to meet with others, ask questions
and find out the latest information on bariatric
surgery from the bariatric surgery team. It
is the perfect opportunity to ask questions
and learn from others.
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