Before...
Eat sensibly - as if you had already had the surgery. Try to limit your total intake of calories by 25%. Do not put yourself on a fad diet or go on an eating binge. Start increasing your physical activity by walking, biking, swimming or other activity you enjoy and would be likely to do after surgery and for the rest of your life.
Having some weight loss before the gastric bypass surgery is helpful. Weight is usually lost from the abdominal organs first. Losing weight can make the difference between having a laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure or more open, traditional gastric bypass surgery.
You should see your primary care physician for a preoperative checkup. Your surgeon may also request other specific consultations or examinations.
Before your gastric bypass surgery date, you should have an appointment, during which time, you should bring up any questions or concerns. You will be given specific instructions about lab work, where and when to arrive, medications and appointments after your surgery.
Two Days before Gastric Bypass Surgery
For the 48 hours before your gastric bypass surgery, you will be on a liquid diet. This includes water, clear juice, tea, coffee, lollies, gelatin and broth. This is the same diet that you will follow immediately after surgery.
Any heart and blood pressure medications should be taken as usual until the night before your surgery. Other medications require specific recommendations from your doctor. Make sure that you let them know when you scheduled your surgery if you are on any blood thinning agents, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.
The Day before Gastric Bypass Surgery
You should continue your clear liquid diet the day before surgery. If you have tendency to be constipated, at noon the day before surgery, you mayneed to take a gentle, over-the-counter laxative that cleanses your