14 Somac/Nexium/Pariet This helps to reduce the acid secretions in the stomach. The hospital will send you with a script for 1-month supply. You should take this until the script runs out. However, depending on your progress and symptoms, you may need to take these for a longer period of time. This will be discussed at your next follow up appointment. Multivitamins and supplements You will need to pre-order your multivitamins so you are ready to start a few days post-surgery. Please take a bariatric supplement 1-2 times a day or as prescribed by your dietitian. All other supplements can re-start at 4 weeks post op. TO PREVENT ANY COMPLICATIONS, PLEASE DO NOT CHANGE NOR STOP YOUR MEDICATIONS WITHOUT LIAISING WITH YOUR GP OR SPECIALIST Post Operative Symptoms Dizziness Occasionally you may feel light headed. This is because at this stage you are not drinking as much liquid as you were able to before surgery; therefore the blood volume in your body is reduced. When dizziness occurs, do not panic. If you can find a comfortable place to sit or lie down, do so. Your body will adjust and the blood will be redistributed adequately after a short interval. However, if this is occurring too frequently, (more than three times a day) please call us. Also it is important to check with your GP if the dizziness is due to your medication, low blood pressure or other medical conditions. Aim to drink 1.5 litres of fluid per day and monitor your intake. Remember to sip on fluids in between meals. At this stage, you are going through a rapid weight loss phase and your diet is very low in energy and also sodium. Hence we encourage adding 1 sachet of salt per day to your meals per day to improve your sodium intake and this may help with the above-mentioned symptoms. Altered Bowel Habits Bowel habits do change after the surgery, do not expect your bowel movements to be regular until you start eating solid food. Do not be alarmed if you only open your bowels once every few days initially. On discharge from the hospital we recommend that you take 20mls of lactulose 2 times per day to prevent constipation. In the longer term, bowel habits should become regular but usually less in quantity than prior to surgery. Laxatives such as agarol, lactulose and fibre supplements such as Benefiber Original powder may be used. However please contact your bariatric clinic and discuss any concerns with our Nurse. Vomiting Vomiting is NOT an expected side effect of your procedure. However during the first two months after surgery, you may experience episodes of vomiting. It is important to remember your small stomach is, depending on the surgery type, approximately 30ml to between 100-150ml and can be easily overwhelmed. You must eat slowly and stop when you feel satisfied. Meals will take up to 30 minutes to consume. Vomiting can occur due to eating too fast, eating too much, poor/inadequate chewing and eating inappropriate food. Following the dietary advice given by our dietitian will minimise the chance of vomiting. Too much vomiting or retching will cause secondary swelling and possible obstruction of the passageway. If you cannot keep anything down for 24 hours it is IMPORTANT TO notify either the WARD or our OFFICE ASAP. Frequent vomiting can have unwanted side effects of leak, dehydration and hence kidney damage, electrolyte abnormalities and in worst case permanent neurological symptoms: memory impairment, weakness, nerve damage etc.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTI3ODI1