Weight Loss Surgery in Las Vegas – Day of Surgery

For many of our Las Vegas bariatric surgery patients, the long-anticipated day of surgery is an exciting end to a long wait. It's often referred to by postsurgical patients as their “birthday,” because of the life-changing transformation of health they've achieved.

Preparing for the day of bariatric surgery is like preparing for many other sugeries: Dr. Umbach will have specific instructions for you to follow. A few of the more frequently given instructions include:

• Do not drink or eat anything prior to surgery, beginning at midnight before the day of the surgery.
• Most medicines can be taken the day of surgery, just with small sips of water (however, Dr. Umbach will have instructions regarding specific medications).
• Do NOT bring your medications to the hospital. The ones you need will be provided.
• Bring your CPAP machine, if you have one, for use in the hospital.
• Arrive early; some hospitals and surgery centers require patients to be up to two hours early. The exact time will be given to you when you register at the hospital the week before.

When you arrive, you will undergo a few preoperative steps. You will change out of your clothes. You will see your nurses, Dr. Umbach, as well as your anesthesiologist. An IV line will be started to keep you hydrated and to administer medications such as antibiotics. IV and oral pain medications are also given at this time. The preoperative experience is often a short one, after which you will be taken to the operating room.

If you are not under anesthesia before you get to the operating room, you will be once there. Then, you will be intubated and your surgeon will perform the operation. Both the bypass and band are fairly short procedures… about 60 minutes. Dr. Umbach will meet your family and/or support person in the recovery room immediately after the operation.

After surgery, your healthcare team will make sure your vital signs are acceptable and arrange for you to be taken to the recovery room.

In the early days after surgery, you may not feel much different. Even though you've taken a big step, you may find yourself asking what has changed. In the recovery room, you can expect to have some discomfort and feel the effects of the surgery (this can last for several days).

Management of post operative pain is simple and straight forward. Because the operations are laparoscopic and patients can drink immediately after surgery, oral pain medication is given. The nursing staff can supplement this at any time. Just notify your nurse, as soon as possible, that you need more pain medications. Most patients find the postoperative pain to be more of a discomfort that quickly resolves.