Bariatric

  • Gastric Bypass
  • Gastric Sleeve

Overview

If diet and exercise have been ineffective for your weight loss, you may be prescribed bariatric surgery. Bariatric surgery involves making changes to the digestive system in order to assist with weight loss. The most common types of bariatric surgery are gastric bypass and gastric sleeve. 

Bariatric surgery is typically performed to reduce the risk of other weight-related health issues such as heart disease, diabetes, and high blood pressure. While there are many benefits, these procedures are considered major surgery, and pain is expected during your recovery. It is important to talk to your doctor about what to expect before, during, and after the procedure to optimize your recovery and pain relief.

Before the Procedure

Your clinical care team, surgeon, and anesthesia provider will determine the best pain management solution specific to your post-operative plan.

Once you arrive at the hospital or surgery center, an anesthesia provider will determine which type of anesthesia is best for you and your surgery. Based on their assessment, your anesthesia provider may place a continuous nerve block catheter connected to a pain pump to extend your pain relief near the joint. The pump will allow a local anesthetic to be delivered to relieve pain near the surgical area.

Your surgeon also has the option to place the pain pump if that is their preference. With the surgeon’s placement, the catheter is inserted near the surgical site during the procedure.

During the Procedure

If your anesthesia provider places your catheter, they will protect the catheter during the procedure. If your surgeon places the catheter, they will insert the catheter towards the end of the surgical procedure.

After the Procedure

Your surgeon will have discussed whether you will be admitted to the hospital after surgery or go home the same day. Pain is expected but should be tolerable. After the procedure, you will be educated on how to use your pain pump and any other pain medications. 

Your First Day at Home

Follow your clinician’s instructions regarding caretaker support, diet, recovery, and rehabilitation. They will also educate you on your pain pump prior to going home.

If you have questions or need more information on your pain pump, please check out our FAQ page and Resources page or call our 24/7 nurse hotline at 1-800-444-2728.

REFERENCES

https://www.webmd.com/connect-to-care/bariatric-surgery/what-is-bariatric-surgery 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bariatric-surgery/about/pac-20394258#:~:text=Gastric%20bypass%20and%20other%20weight,problems%20because%20of%20your%20weight.