Hospital Stay and Follow Up Care

• In the Hospital
• Follow-up Care

The average hospital stay for gastric bypass surgery is two to three nights. Patients with more complicated cases, such as sleep apnea or severe lung or heart problems, may require a longer hospital stay.

Prior to surgery, patients undergo a pre-operative physical evaluation, surgical education, and a two and a half hour comprehensive pre-operative class.

Educational materials, mailed to patients prior to the class, will help prepare patients for surgery in advance. Individual attention with the nurse and/or dietitian is also available to all patients, as needed.

In the Hospital 

Directions to the clinic

What To Expect:

The patient will come to the UI Hospitals and Clinics on the morning of surgery, about two hours before the operation is scheduled. More information about directions and lodging in the Iowa City area can be found by visiting our Patients and Guest Services page. 

The surgery will take anywhere from two to three hours, depending on factors such as prior surgery or whether the gallbladder requires removal.

Most patients are in recovery for one to two hours and are then moved to the surgical ward. Some patients will have a planned admission to the surgical intensive care unit following the operation due to related medical conditions.

Post-operative pain is controlled through a patient-controlled analgesia pump with a button patients can push when pain medication is needed. Patients will be expected to work on breathing exercises and walking as much as possible beginning the night of surgery.

Patients who have an uncomplicated course after surgery are normally ready to go home in three days (or the second day after surgery).

Follow-Up Care:

Patients will be provided with lifetime access to nursing and dietitian services, with one-on-one consultation at most follow up visits. Routine appointments after Roux-en-y gastric bypass surgery are scheduled as follows:

• one week post-op
• one month post-op
• three months post-op
• six months post-op
• nine months post-op
• one year after surgery
• 18 months after surgery (if physician deems necessary)
• annually for life

Because this surgery requires lifetime lifestyle and behavior modification, we expect to maintain contact with all patients for life.  This helps us ensure our patients continue appropriate eating and exercise practices, as well as maintaining safe levels of essential vitamins so they can enjoy the success and benefits of lifelong healthy weight maintenance.