Discharge Instructions

  • Call 800-633-THIN day or night for emergencies.
  • Check temperature and pulse twice daily for the first week after bariatric surgery – Call if fever is 101° or higher or if pulse is over 110.
  • Contact us for vomiting or abdominal pain lasting more than 4 hours or diarrhea lasting over 24 hours.
  • Contact us anytime you feel the need to be seen for emergency medical attention related to your bariatric surgery, especially if seen by another physician or hospital.
  • You may bathe or shower after bariatric surgery but do not scrub incisions for 3 weeks. Notify us if you notice any redness or drainage from incisions. Wash with antibacterial soap and gently pat dry.

Post-Bariatric Surgery Step-by-Step Rules & Guidelines

  • Use incentive spirometry bottle four times daily for 10 days.
  • You may walk, go up and down stairs and drive a car as soon as you feel up to it. Do Not Take Pain Medication and Drive.
  • No lifting more than 10 pounds the first 3 weeks.
  • No activity restrictions after 3 weeks.
  • Increased gas is common in the first 3-6 weeks. We recommend Gas-X or Di-Gel for relief.
  • Do not take any anti-inflammatory pain medications unless approved by your surgeon (i.e. Ibuprofen, Advil, Motrin, Naprosyn, Aleve, Daypro, Celebrex, Vioxx, Bextra, etc.) YOU MAY TAKE TYLENOL PRODUCTS (Acetaminophen).
  • Take vitamin-calcium supplements daily post-bariatric surgery.
    • Bariatric Advantage Chewable with iron daily
    • Calcium 1500mg plus Vit. D 800 units (chewable for the first 6 weeks). Examples are Bariatric Advantage Calcium chews, lozenges, or Calcium Crystals
    • Two (2) Bariatric Advantage chewable iron if female with menstrual periods
    • Do Not Take Calcium and Iron Together or it will block the absorption of the iron
    • Do not take 2 “pills” at the same time after bariatric surgery or it can block the outlet of the stomach. Wait about 10 minutes between medications
    • Female patients should not become pregnant for 18 months until weight loss has stabilized or injury could occur to the unborn child
    • Female patients who have menstrual periods should take chewable iron tablets daily until they reach menopause

Do Not Donate Blood

If you encounter a problem contact Dr. Garber or Dr. Holover or one of the other surgeons at The New York Bariatric Group and return to the Emergency Room where you had your bariatric surgery, or have the physician where you are contact us if you present for treatment. There are many physicians that are unfamiliar with weight loss surgery and serious errors in treatment could occur.

Do not allow them to insert a stomach tube for any reason. Insist the doctor call us

  • In the first week post-bariatric surgery, most patients can only drink one protein supplement per day until the pouch swelling decreases.
  • Carry a container with a straw around with you the first week after bariatric surgery and sip on liquids all day to prevent dehydration.

If you have any further questions or concerns about what you can or cannot do post-bariatric surgery, call the office of the New York Bariatric Group at 800-633-THIN today.