Bariatric surgery day: what happens in the operating room and in hospital

• Loose clothing: soft trousers or a gown with a wide waist that does not press on the small wounds.
• Slip-on shoes: non-slip slippers, as bending down will be uncomfortable for a few days.
• Toiletries and small comforts: toothbrush, lip balm, a long phone charger, earplugs.
• Your CPAP device, if you use one for sleep apnoea.

Leave jewellery and valuables at home or in the hotel. Nail polish and false nails are best removed, as the team monitors oxygen levels through a finger clip.

On admission, the staff check your documents and results, measure your weight, blood pressure and oxygen level, and may take a final blood test. You then meet the key people:

• the surgeon, who goes over the operation once more and answers your last questions;
• the anaesthetist, who asks about allergies, previous anaesthetics, snoring and sleep apnoea;
• the nurses, who prepare you, fit compression stockings and explain how to call for help.

You then sign the consent forms, change into a hospital gown and wait in your room until you are taken to theatre.

These are guide figures, not a promise: previous abdominal surgery, a large liver or a hiatal hernia repair can add time. At the end, many surgeons test the staple line for leaks before closing the small wounds. You then wake up in the recovery area, where your breathing, pulse and pain are watched closely before you return to your room. The methods themselves are described on the bariatric surgery page.

• Pain relief is given regularly, not only when pain becomes strong.
• Getting up: most patients sit up and take their first few steps with a nurse within a few hours. This is one of the best ways to prevent blood clots and chest infections.
• Breathing exercises: deep breaths and gentle coughing help the lungs recover from anaesthesia.
• Drinking: small sips of water are usually allowed the same evening or the next morning, once the surgeon is satisfied.

Fluids are increased step by step: first sips of water, then clear liquids in small amounts, taken slowly. You will be taught how much to drink per hour and why gulping is not a good idea. Before discharge you usually need to:

• drink enough fluids without vomiting;
• walk on your own and manage pain with tablets;
• have a normal temperature and pulse;
• understand your diet stages, supplements and warning signs.

International patients are usually advised not to fly straight after discharge but to stay nearby for a short period, often around a week to ten days, before a long flight; the surgeon decides based on how you recover. On the flight, wear compression stockings, drink small sips of water, and walk in the aisle regularly. A return to normal activities typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.

A personal coordinator stays with you from the first message to the end of recovery and helps with dates and travel, and documents can be sent by Telegram. Find out more on the bariatric surgery page.