Gastric Sleeve Surgery: Your Hospital Stay at UPMC in Central Pa.

Gastric sleeve surgery patients remain in the hospital overnight, returning home the day after surgery.

After Surgery

You will start on clear liquids after surgery.

Pain Management

Your pain management will depend on your discussion with the surgeon and/or anesthesiologist pre-operatively. Patients will receive pain medications through their I.V.s or by injection. If at any time you feel that your pain is not under control, please discuss this with your nurse, or with the doctor that will visit with you. Also remember that pain management does not mean pain free. It will be impossible to relieve all the aches and pains that you should expect. This soreness will decrease over the next few days.

Nursing Care

Nurses and nursing aids will check your incision areas and vital signs (blood pressure, temperature, and pulse) at regular intervals. This will include late night and early morning visits. Please remember that everybody involved has your best care in mind. These late night/early morning visits are to help ensure your health and safety.

You will be asked to do breathing exercises with an incentive spirometer, to help prevent pneumonia and other respiratory problems. You will also be expected to get out of bed and walk as much as possible. Being mobile will help prevent pneumonia, blood clots, constipation and other post-operative problems. You will be asked to walk the halls at least twice a day and to sit in a chair, out of bed, as much as possible. The hospital asks that patients not leave the floor except for testing or procedures without permission from the physician.

Starting Liquids

You will begin your clear diet immediately after gastric sleeve surgery. This diet will be followed according to your discharge instructions. Please inform the hospital staff if you are having difficulty tolerating liquids.

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