Pre operative
Most people have contemplated this procedure for a while before having bariatric (weight loss) surgery. Often they have read and discussed widely prior to undertaking the process. We understand that this is a major part of your life and will work together to make the procedure as comfortable and safe as possible. It is imperative that the patients are medically well prepared and have their other medical conditions managed prior to surgery. In particular, treating blood pressure, good control of diabetes, diagnosis and treatment of sleep apnoea as well as management of heart disease are vital to achieve. Your preoperative assessment with the anaesthetist is to ensure optimisation, confirm techniques of anaesthesia required and gain an understanding of the risks involved in anaesthesia. The surgeon’s rooms will guide cessation of blood thinning medications preoperatively and you anaesthetist and physician will guide you about the other medications.
Intraoperative
Bariatric surgery involves a challenging general anaesthetic after having a drip placed. Sometimes this is difficult as veins aren’t always easy to find. Having undertaken anaesthesia for a great many bariatric surgeries over many years, Dr Ramadas has a lot of experience and several ways to help with this. An arterial cannula is also placed for monitoring blood pressure. See “types of anaesthesia” for more information about these procedures. We place a breathing tube once you are asleep to help keep you safe during surgery. Whilst asleep we commence the pain relief and antinausea regime to help with the recovery.
Post operative
We have a pain relief, fluid management and anti nausea regime for after surgery which is evidence based with the goal of rapid recovery from major surgery. Blood thinners and compression stockings are utilised. It is important to ensure adequate hydration and early mobilisation after surgery.
Please ensure you have some paracetamol at home (a soluble version is available at the supermarkets if you wish). The stronger pain relief medication (either Buprenorphine or Tapendatol), along with antinausea medication such as Ondansentron wafers and antireflux medication will be dispensed for discharge.