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The much-anticipated day of the bariatric procedure for many patients is an exciting end to a long wait. Many post-surgical patients refer to surgery day as a “birthday” because to some individuals the procedure signifies the start of a new, healthier life.

Preparing for bariatric surgery is a lot like preparing for many other types of surgical procedures. Surgeons will give their patients specific instructions to follow during the 24-48 hour period preceding the surgery. Some of the more common instructions include the following:

1. Do not eat or drink anything (including water) for a set period of time before the procedure.
2. Most medications can be taken on the day of surgery with very small sips of water; however surgeons may give individual instructions to patients depending upon specific circumstances.
3. Patients should bring all medications and/or any medical equipment with them to the hospital in the day of the surgery for use in the hospital.
4. Patients should arrive early. Some hospitals and surgical centers require patients to be up to two hours early.

Surgeons will again give specific instructions regarding medication upon arrival at the hospital.

Upon arrival to the hospital or surgical center, the patient will have to take a few pre-surgery steps. He or she will be dressed in a hospital gown and then he/she will see and talk with the surgeon and anesthesiologist. IVs will be started so that preoperative medications can be administered. After the pre-surgical process has been completed, the patient will then be transferred to the operating room.

If the patient had not yet been anesthetized, the anesthesiologist will administer the appropriate medications when the patient arrives in the operating room. Once anesthesia had taken effect, the surgery will begin. Most procedures are not very lengthy. Gastric bypass, for example, is only about 75 to 90 minutes in length. After the procedure has been completed, surgical staff will monitor the patient’s vital signs and, if the patient is stable, he or she will be moved to the recovery area.