Preparation for Gastric Bypass Surgery

Transcription

1 Preparation for Gastric Bypass Surgery Patient Information

2 Introduction This leaflet has been written to help you understand the surgery you are about to have. It does not replace the discussion between you and your doctor but helps you to understand more about what is discussed. You have been advised that an operation to remove the cancer in your stomach is not possible. To try to improve you symptoms and allow you to drink and eat, a bypass operation will be performed to bypass the blockage caused by your cancer. This procedure may be done either as an open operation or laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery. This will be discussed with you before the surgery. A connection will be made between the stomach and the small intestine to allow the food to bypass the blockage (see drawings below). This will not remove the cancer but may relieve symptoms. What are the risks? As with all operations there are risks involved and these will be discussed with you by the surgical team. Make sure you discuss the possible complications with your surgeon and ask all the questions you need to. 1

3 After the operation After the operation you will be taken to the ward or post-operative room, where your initial recovery will be closely monitored. Will it hurt? The anaesthetist will see you before your operation. Together you can discuss the best method of pain relief. If at any time you experience any pain or discomfort, you should tell the ward nurses looking after you. Who will be looking after me? There is a team of doctors and nurses to look after you. The nurses and physiotherapist will mobilise you, gently at first, but as the days go by you will begin walking around your bed. The physiotherapist will help with your breathing and mobility. The dietician will advise you on what to drink and eat. Will I be attached to any tubes? We will use tubes and machines to monitor you closely and aid a safe and quick recovery. These are routine, so try not to be alarmed by their appearance. The following tubes may be used:. 2

4 A tube up your nose (nasogastric tube) going into your stomach to drain it and to stop you feeling sick. One or more tubes (wound drains) in the abdomen. These drains stop blood, bile and tissue fluids collecting around the site of the surgery. A tube (catheter) into your bladder to allow you to pass urine. When can I eat and drink again? Initially you will only be allowed sips of water and this will gradually increase over a few days as you begin to tolerate more fluids. You will then gradually be allowed to eat a soft liquidised diet, followed by a semi-solid diet and then eventually a normal solid diet. You will be encouraged to eat small meals frequently rather than three meals a day. What about my family? This is a difficult time for both you and your family. We will keep you all informed as to what is happening. Your family will be able to visit you, although it is worth remembering that you will need lots of rest after the operation. Here are some important tips for you to pass on to your family and friends during your hospital stay: Only two visitors are allowed per bed space whilst you are in the intensive care / high dependency unit and on the ward. Keep visiting time short this enables you to get vital rest and treatment. Whilst the team are happy to keep family and friends informed about your progress their main responsibility is the care and safety of the patient. To assist them as much as possible, please nominate one family member to ask questions and then relay progress reports back to the family. Do not bring flowers as a gift as they are not allowed due to the infection risk. Visitors should use the alcohol hand wash rub before entering the ward areas to reduce infection risks and should not visit the hospital if they have a cough, a cold or any or any recent diarrhoea or vomiting. The Specialist Nursing team are always available for questions. During your inpatient stay you can ask the ward staff to contact them. 3

5 Local sources of further information You can visit any of the health/cancer information centres listed below: Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Health Information Centre Birmingham Heartlands Hospital Bordesley Green Birmingham B9 5SS Telephone: Cancer Information and Support Centre Good Hope Hospital Rectory Road Sutton Coldfield B75 7RR Telephone: Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust The Courtyard Centre Sandwell General Hospital (Main Reception) Lyndon West Bromwich B71 4HJ Telephone: Fax: University Hospital Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust The Patrick Room Cancer Centre Queen Elizabeth Hospital Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TH Telephone: Walsall Primary Care Trust Cancer Information & Support Services Challenge Building Hatherton Street Walsall WS1 1YB Freephone: About this information This guide is provided for general information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Every effort is taken to ensure that this information is accurate and consistent with current knowledge and 4

6 practice at the time of publication. We are constantly striving to improve the quality of our information. If you have a suggestion about how this information can be improved, please contact us via our website: This information was produced by Pan Birmingham Cancer Network and was written by Consultant Surgeons, Clinical Nurse Specialists, Allied Health Professionals, Patients and Carers from the following Trusts: Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust University Hospital Birmingham Foundation Trust Walsall Hospital NHS Trust We acknowledge the support of Macmillan in producing this information. Pan Birmingham Cancer Network 2010 Publication Date: June 2010 Review Date: June