On the day of surgery (two hours prior to scheduled surgery), go to the surgery reception area at Poudre Valley Hospital.

• You will be asked to complete any remaining paperwork.
• You will be taken to pre-op where you'll change into a gown and slippers. The nurses will prepare you for surgery by starting your IV, reviewing your health history and introducing the anesthesiologist.
• Gastric bypass surgery typically lasts two hours; LAP-BAND® surgery typically lasts one hour. However, the length of surgery time depends on your specific surgery and health status. Families and friends are asked to wait in the surgery waiting area. After surgery, the surgeon will let your family and friends know how you're doing.
• After surgery, you will spend one to two hours in the recovery room.
• Once physically ready, you will be moved to your hospital room on the surgical unit (fourth floor) at PVH.
• Initially, you will only be given ice chips. If you can tolerate the ice chips well, you'll be given water, then clear liquids like soup broth and finally to other liquids such as milk, strained soup or Carnation® Instant Breakfast®.
• It is very important to get out of bed and move as soon as you can. Physical activity assists in the recovery process and helps to prevent blood clots, pneumonia and constipation. You will take your first walk the evening of surgery and be given a pedometer to wear to help track your steps.

When you are medically ready to go home, you will be given detailed instructions about follow-up appointments, as well as information about meals and beverages, activity and exercise, restrictions, breathing exercises, medicines and emotional changes.

If you have any questions, please contact the patient navigator at Bariatic Center of the Rockies.

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Fort Collins, Colorado
970.495.7000
PVHS@pvhs.org