Tube Stomach Surgery Guide
Tube stomach surgery is a surgical method used in the treatment of obesity. In this surgery, a large part of the stomach is removed and left in a small tube shape. This allows the patient to eat less and feel full faster. Tube stomach surgery can improve obesity-related diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, as well as weight loss.
Tube stomach surgery is performed by an expert team at YND HEALTH. We aim to provide the best service and support to our patients before and after the surgery. In this guide, you can find what you need to do before and after tube stomach surgery, diet and exercise plans, patient planning and frequently asked questions.
Before Tube Stomach Surgery
To prepare for tube stomach surgery, you need to follow some important steps before the surgery. These steps are designed to increase the success of the surgery, reduce the risk of complications and speed up the recovery process. Below, you can see what you need to do before the surgery in a timeline.
2 Weeks Before Surgery
- Quit smoking. Smoking impairs blood flow and slows wound healing and increases the risk of infection. Also, smokers have a higher risk of stomach ulcer, bleeding, lung complications and death.
- Stop alcohol consumption. Alcohol can impair liver function and jeopardize the safety of the surgery. Also, alcohol is rich in calories and can cause weight gain.
- Do not drink anything while eating. This habit will help you maintain your stomach volume and feel full faster after the surgery.
- Reduce caffeine intake. Caffeine increases stomach acid and increases the risk of stomach ulcer. Also, caffeinated drinks do not meet your fluid needs and can cause dehydration.
- Do not consume anything after midnight. Your stomach should be empty before the surgery. This is important to prevent anesthesia complications.
- You need to follow a strict diet to start your new healthy lifestyle. This diet is designed to prepare your body for surgery, reduce liver fat and help you lose weight. The basis of your diet should be protein foods, vegetables and fruits. Avoid refined sugar, fried foods, fast food, alcoholic and carbonated drinks. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Since your nutrient intake will be restricted, you can take essential vitamin and mineral supplements. Any multivitamin tablet will suffice.
- Do not use blood thinners such as aspirin and its derivatives (Coraspin, Alca-Seltzer, etc.). These drugs can increase the risk of bleeding. Do not stop or start any medication without your doctor’s approval.
- Stop using drugs such as Glucophage or Metformin 3 days before the surgery. These drugs can impair kidney function. If you are using diabetic drugs, you should follow the preoperative diet and consult your doctor to make sure you are suitable for surgery.
1 Day Before Surgery
- The day before the surgery, you need to follow a clear liquid diet. This diet is designed to cleanse your stomach and intestines and facilitate the surgery. Clear liquid diet consists of transparent or semi-transparent drinks and foods such as water, herbal tea, broth, fruit juice, fat-free milk, sugar-free jelly. You can mix your fruit juice with fat-free milk. Strain the vegetables and drink their water. You can make your day more comfortable by adding plenty of cinnamon to your milk or soy milk.
- Since you will have surgery the next day, you should not eat or drink anything after midnight. This is very important to prevent anesthesia complications.
After Tube Stomach Surgery
After tube stomach surgery, you will start the recovery process. In this process, you need to follow some rules to adapt your body to the new situation and to ensure weight loss. Below, you can see what you need to do after the surgery in a timeline.
1st Day
- On the day of surgery, you should not chew gum, consume any liquid, or take any medication. This is necessary to keep the stomach empty and facilitate the surgery.
- After the surgery, you will be in the recovery room. You should rest and not move after the surgery. You may feel pain or discomfort in the area where you were operated on or depending on how you lie down. Neck or shoulder pain is also common after surgery. Pain and nausea can be relieved with IV drugs. You will feel less pain every day after the surgery.
- Start consuming liquid after you pass your “leakage test”. This test is done to check if there is any hole in your stomach tube. After the test, you can consume 4-6 glasses of clear liquid per day. These liquids can be transparent or semi-transparent drinks and foods such as water, herbal tea, broth, fruit juice, fat-free milk, sugar-free jelly. Drink liquids slowly and in small sips. Do not try to drink too much at once. This can cause nausea, vomiting and pressure in your stomach tube.
- You can take short walks. Get out of bed and walk at least 3 times a day. This is beneficial for increasing blood circulation, preventing clot formation and clearing your lungs.
2nd and 3rd Day
- Most patients leave the hospital 2 or 3 days after the surgery and switch to the following “home care plan”.
- Keep your wound clean. Wash gently with soap and water (do not rub), dry gently all over. Wrap with sterile bandages. Check your wound for signs of infection (redness, swelling, heat, discharge, pain). If you have any, notify your doctor.
- Take the prescribed painkiller as needed. As your pain decreases, you can switch to over-the-counter drugs. You can take Protonix to reduce the acidity in your stomach. This helps with heartburn and reduces pressure in your stomach. Unless your surgeon says otherwise, you can continue to use your medications. All non-controlled release drugs will need to be crushed. If possible, any controlled-release drug should be replaced with a non-controlled-release one. Do not crush controlled-release drugs. Ask your doctor for diabetic drugs.
- Continue to consume only clear liquids. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Drink liquids slowly and in small sips. Do not try to drink too much at once. This can cause nausea, vomiting and pressure in your stomach tube.
- Walk at least 3 times a day. This is beneficial for increasing blood circulation, preventing clot formation and clearing your lungs.
5th Day
- You can take a shower and start light activities 5 days after your tube stomach surgery. You can start showering or bathing (do not enter a tub or jacuzzi filled with water). Do not lift anything heavy. Lifting heavy can put excessive pressure on the stitches and torso. It is completely normal for bowel movements to be difficult or painful. Constipation is normal in the first week after surgery. You can take painkillers as needed.
- Consume drinks and soft foods. (particle-free). At this stage, you can add particle-free drinks and soft foods to your diet. These foods can be protein foods such as yogurt, cheese, pudding, soup, egg, fish, chicken. You should chew or mash the foods well. Eat your meals in small portions and slowly. Do not drink anything while eating or immediately after eating. This can fill your stomach tube and make you eat less food. Also, mixing food and drinks can cause nausea, vomiting and pressure in your stomach tube. Continue to drink plenty of water between meals. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Drink liquids slowly and in small sips. Do not try to drink too much at once. This can cause nausea, vomiting and pressure in your stomach tube.
- Continue walking, leg and breathing exercises. This is beneficial for increasing blood circulation, preventing clot formation and clearing your lungs.
7th Day
- The 7th day is an important day for recovery, as you will start eating again and continue driving. Your pain will completely go away and you will no longer need prescription painkillers. Continue to consume drinks and soft foods. (particle-free). Eat your meals in small portions and slowly. Do not drink anything while eating or immediately after eating. Continue to drink plenty of water between meals. Try to drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Drink liquids slowly and in small sips. Do not try to drink too much at once. This can cause nausea, vomiting and pressure in your stomach tube.
- Continue walking, leg and breathing exercises. This is beneficial for increasing blood circulation, preventing clot formation and clearing your lungs.
- Limit yourself to only light physical activities (lift no more than 10 lbs/4.5 kg)
14th Day
- Wounds will heal nicely and you will no longer need bandages, but they may still be a bit swollen, itchy or irritated. After the wounds are completely closed, use special lotions (and sunscreen when exposed to the sun) to minimize the scar.
- Continue walking, leg and breathing exercises. This is beneficial for increasing blood circulation, preventing clot formation and clearing your lungs.
- Limit yourself to only light physical activities (lift no more than 10 lbs/4.5 kg)
4-6 Weeks
- In the 4-6 weeks of your tube stomach surgery recovery process, you will transition to your “new normal” state. You can start lifting heavy, start your new diet and exercise routine.
- You can start your normal daily activities and exercises, including heavy lifting. Exercise while listening to your body and do not push yourself. Exercise will help you lose weight, maintain your muscle mass and improve your health.
- Start a long-term care diet. This diet is designed to maintain your weight loss, meet your nutritional needs and create a healthy lifestyle. The basis of your diet should be protein foods, vegetables and fruits. Avoid refined sugar, fried foods, fast food, alcoholic and carbonated drinks. Drink at least 2 liters of water a day. Since your nutrient intake will be restricted, you can take essential vitamin and mineral supplements. Any multivitamin tablet will suffice.
- You probably won’t feel any pain anymore. You can use over-the-counter drugs if needed. You can take Protonix to reduce the acidity in your stomach. This helps with heartburn and reduces pressure in your stomach. Unless your surgeon says otherwise, you can continue to use your medications. All non-controlled release drugs will need to be crushed. If possible, any controlled-release drug should be replaced with a non-controlled-release one. Do not crush controlled-release drugs. Ask your doctor for diabetic drugs.
Patient Planning
Thank you for choosing YND HEALTH for your tube stomach surgery. We aim to provide the best service and support to our patients before and after the surgery. Below, you can find what you need to know about patient planning.
- Before your arrival, you will have a phone and online video consultation with your surgeon. You will receive detailed information about your treatment, ask your questions and share your expectations.
- Before your treatment, you will have a face-to-face meeting with your doctor at the hospital. You will review your treatment plan, make the final preparations and get your consent.
- Your medical tests and health checks will be done at the hospital. These tests are routine tests such as blood test, electrocardiogram, lung x-ray, upper gastrointestinal endoscopy. These tests are necessary to ensure the safety and suitability of the surgery.
- You will stay in the hospital for at least 4 days. Your surgery will be done by laparoscopic method. This is a surgical method that is done with small incisions and special tools. This method provides less pain, less bleeding, less infection risk, shorter hospital stay and faster recovery than open surgery.
- The morning after the surgery, your doctor will examine you and create a special diet list for you. This diet list will include what you need to do after the surgery, when and how much you need to eat, what to pay attention to. Following this diet list will help you lose weight, meet your nutritional needs and protect your health.
- After your treatment, your doctor will check your health condition and explain how to use the medications. These medications are painkillers, stomach protectors, vitamin and mineral supplements. You should use these medications as directed and for the duration indicated by your doctor. Also, please consult your doctor before stopping or starting any other medications.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find the answers to some questions you may have about tube stomach surgery below.
- Who is suitable for tube stomach surgery?
- How long does tube stomach surgery take?
- How much weight does tube stomach surgery lose?
- What should I eat after tube stomach surgery?
- How much exercise should I do after tube stomach surgery?
