Post-operative Course
Ensure that you stay on a fluid diet for two weeks after gastric banding. The band tends to feel quite “tight” at first and it is important not to get any solid food stuck in the band which may induce vomiting. Anything that induces nausea or vomiting should be avoided at all costs, as vomiting in the early stages may cause an acute slip of the gastric band. It is usual for the surgeon to prescribe a soft and pureed diet for the subsequent two weeks, which means it will be four weeks altogether before proceeding to a usual solid diet.
If are a diabetic you will need to consult with your surgeon or endocrinologist regarding the right way to manage your diabetic medications post-operatively. The sugar readings that you have been getting during your pre-operative OptifastTM course will be similar in the post-operative course. You should be vigilant about taking your sugar levels in the post-operative period. Mostly, if you take oral medications only, you will not need to take them at all in the first weeks after surgery.
Depending on your success with weight loss you may not need to take them again, but this should be a decision make in conjunction with your doctor. If you are on insulin, you will need to consult closely with your health professionals to get the right dose. The dose you should need after gastric banding will normally be considerably less than prior to banding.
Diabetic medications must be carefully managed around the time of gastric banding surgery to maintain healthy sugar levels
It is usually the case that the wounds from keyhole surgery will heal quickly.
Wound infection or bruising occasionally happen. Infection should be suspected if you experience excessive pain or tenderness around the incision.
Redness and pus may be present. You should consult your doctor ASAP if you have a suspicion of wound infection, particularly if it is near the site of the access port.
It is not uncommon to have a change in bowel habit shortly after gastric banding surgery and it normally takes the form of less frequent bowel actions. This is largely due to the fact that you are consuming less solid food but may also be influenced by the pain relievers you may have been given. A fibre supplement is the simplest solution, for example Benefibre® or Metamucil® with meals. If this is insufficient, contact your surgeon who may advise a further laxative or a dietary modification.
Call (03) 9895 7215 for more information on weight loss surgery.