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After Surgery

What to expect on the day of surgery and after surgery

As your surgery will be done with a keyhole technique (robotic or laparoscopic), this reduces your hospital stay to either a same day discharge or discharge after an overnight stay.

  • The majority of our patients will be in hospital overnight or discharged the same day
  • Mobilising immediately after surgery will enhance your recovery and discharge
  • You will have 5 small cuts on your belly which are stitched on the inside and closed with waterproof glue
  • Incisions will take up to one week to heal
  • You may get some bruising around your abdominal area. This is normal and should heal in 3-4 weeks
  • You can be given a sick note (for two weeks) from the ward upon request. You can contact your GP if you feel you need rest beyond two weeks. This is unlikely but would depend on your profession
  • We recommend no heavy lifting for up 6 weeks or vigorous exercises to reduce your chances of developing a hernia
  • We recommend no driving for 10-14 days or until you are able to make an emergency manoeuvre (you may want to check with your motor vehicle insurance company)
  • Keeping yourself well hydrated is crucial to your recovery – you can start drinking 1-2 hours after surgery (your surgical team will be able to advise further)
  • You will be sent home with pain relief medications which includes a pain patch that can last up to 5-7 days. You may get nausea and vomiting as a side effect of the patch, if this happens to you, please remove the patch
  • You will be sent home with anti-sickness medication and blood thinning injections
  • You will be sent home with laxatives to help with your bowel movements
  • You will be advised when to resume your own medications before you leave the hospital

With increasing evidence on the benefits of day case weight loss surgery, we are able to offer this in some instances. This means that you are able to have your procedure and go home on the same day with support from our Enhanced Recovery nurses. If you are suitable for a same day discharge then our surgical team will discuss this with you.

When to seek medical advice

In the days or weeks after surgery, call us or NHS 111 immediately if you have:

  • really bad stomach pain, or stomach pain that does not go away or is getting worse
  • an unusually fast heartbeat
  • a high temperature
  • chest pain or shortness of breath
  • being sick (vomiting) or vomiting blood
  • difficulty swallowing
  • blood in your stool
  • signs of a wound infection, such as pain, redness, swelling and pus

In the months after surgery, make an appointment to see a GP if you:

  • have pain in your stomach that comes and goes
  • vomit every now and again
  • have heartburn
  • keep coughing at night
  • feel sick most of the time
  • have diarrhoea that does not go away
  • have times where you feel flushed, sweaty or faint

Constipation is quite common after surgery. Make sure that you continue to take your laxatives regularly (provided on discharge) and keep well hydrated, aiming for a minimum of 2 litres per day. Avoid using Fybogel immediately after surgery, instead speak with our team or GP.

If you are concerned about any symptoms following your surgery you should contact the Obesity team immediately. Please use our direct line reserved for emergency calls only. For our emergency contact number or out of hours emergency contact details, please visit our ‘Contact Us’ page.

Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery Programme (ERABS)

Enhanced Recovery is a modern, evidence-based approach that can help patients recover more quickly after surgery. Having an operation can be both physically and emotionally stressful. Enhanced Recovery Programmes try to get you back to full health as quickly as possible.

Research has shown that the earlier a person gets out of bed and starts walking and drinking after having an operation helps to reduce post-operative complications. Patients and health care professionals are realising the benefits of a shorter stay in hospital, therefore we will work with you in your recovery to keep your stay as short as possible.

Enhanced Recovery support can be offered for patients deemed suitable for same-day discharge. Suitability for same-day discharge is discussed and agreed with you in advance by the multidisciplinary team. For more information on the benefits of enhanced recovery, please visit the ERAS section.

In this section

Our follow up appointments are conducted by specialist nurses and dietitians that have access to the wider MDT and consultant-led advice if needed. You may need to see your consultant if there are any potential complications or if our healthcare professionals deem it necessary. Our follow up appointments after surgery are conducted as virtual unless there is a clinical need that requires a face to face appointment.

You will be given a post-operative eating plan from the day of surgery to 10 weeks post-surgery.  Please be careful to follow the phases stipulated to minimise complications. This leaflet is given at your pre-assessment appointment. You are expected to be on liquids (only) for at least 14 days after surgery.

It is not uncommon for patients to develop loose excess skin after experiencing significant weight loss. We cannot predict which areas of your body may develop excess skin and we know that skin removal surgery is unfortunately not routinely available in the NHS. If this becomes a future concern you should discuss this with your GP.

We are able to offer this to patients regardless of criteria (recommended at least eighteen months after weight loss surgery) in our private facility, the Cobham Clinic, but you will need to pay for this.

Losing weight can result in increased fertility. Female patients having weight loss surgery may wish to have children but must avoid falling pregnant ideally in the first 2 years after surgery. It is important to discuss this with your surgeon.