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Medicines to avoid! Do not take aspirin or aspirin-containing products. Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatories such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, etc.) and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve®, etc.). They may cause ulcers in your pouch. Check with us if you are not sure which medicines you can take. How do I care for my incision? Remove the bandage 3 days after surgery if it is still on. Leave the Steri-strips® [strips of tape over the incision (cut)] in place; they will curl and fall off. If they are still in place 2 weeks after your surgery, gently peel them off. You can do this in the shower. The incision (cut) may itch during healing; this is normal. Do not scratch the area. Can I shower or bathe? It is OK to shower with soap. Pat the incision dry after showering. Do not take a bath or soak in water for one month. What kind of activity is allowed? Do not drive until your pain is resolved and does not require medication. Pain can make it hard to move quickly. Stop any strenuous activity if it is uncomfortable during the first month. Walk as much as is comfortable for you. Your goal for the first 4 weeks after surgery is to walk 30 minutes per day, 7 days per week. How do I manage constipation? If you do not have a bowel movement within 5 days of surgery, try Milk of Magnesia® (2 Tablespoons, twice a day). If this does not work after one day, try a Dulcolax® suppository or Fleets® enema. If none of these measures help, call the Obesity Center. What do I do if I vomit? If you vomit, you have probably eaten or drunk too quickly and/or too much or the food may have been too solid. Wait four hours and then try one ounce of liquid that doesn't have sugar. If this liquid does not make you nauseous or vomit, then take only liquids until the next day. Then you can try pureed foods again. If vomiting continues, call the Obesity Center. May I become pregnant? We recommend that you avoid getting pregnant for 18 months after surgery. Rapid weight loss increases fertility. Birth control must be used correctly and all the times to avoid pregnancy, even if you were not able to get pregnant in the past. Diet Notes If you had trouble tolerating liquids in the hospital OR you did not tolerate pureed food on the day of discharge, follow the dietary instruction of your surgeon/surgeon representative when you are being discharged. Most likely, you will be instructed to follow a liquid diet for one week before trying pureed food. If you did tolerate pureed food on the day of discharge, follow the dietary instructions below.
When do I follow-up after surgery? You will meet with your Surgeon/Nurse Practitioner and Dietitian 2 to 3 weeks after surgery and again at 5 to 6 weeks after surgery. You will then follow-up with your Surgeon/Nurse Practitioner and Dietitian at 3 months and 6 months after surgery, every 6 months for 1½ years and then every year. You should have received dates and times for your first two follow-up visits with your pre-operative instructions. If not, please call the Center to schedule them. When should I call the Obesity Center? Call us if you notice:
EMERGENCY TELEPHONE NUMBERSCall 212.305.4000 with any problems.
This information is brief and general. It should not be the only source of your information on this health care topic. It is not to be used or relied on for diagnosis or treatment. It does not take the place of instructions from your health care providers. For answers to your health related questions, talk to your health care providers for guidance before making a health care decision.  |
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| ©1999-2007. Columbia University Medical Center, Department of Surgery, New York, NY. |
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