14
Bariatric Surgery
Perioperative and Post-Operative
Medications
➤ Some medications that increase perioperative risks may be held
prior to surgery, such as:
• Anticoagulants, with risk of holding or bridging medications
weighed against bleeding risk
• Steroids and other medications that impair wound healing
• Weight loss medications
• Hypoglycemic medications
➤ Typical post-operative medications include analgesics,
antiemetics, bowel regimen, and antacids.
➤ Patients at increased thrombotic risk may be temporarily placed
on anticoagulant.
➤ Some medications may be decreased or stopped after surgery, such as:
• Anti-hypertensives • Anti-hyperglycemics
Staged Diet Progression
➤ Clear liquid diet (CLD): Anything liquid that is see-through and is
easy to swallow.
• CLD is often the f irst intake following bariatric surgery.
• CLD may last several days to multiple weeks.
➤ Full liquid diet (FLD): Any liquid or semisolid that is easy to
swallow and requires minimal chewing.
• FLD is the consistency of yogurt, oatmeal, cream of wheat, or baby food.
• FLD is also sometimes referred to as pureed/ blended diet.
➤ Soft diet: Any food that is easy to chew and swallow.
• Soft diets include most f ish, ground meat, well-cooked vegetables,
most grains, and thicker foods like peanut butter.
➤ Long-term dietary changes (commonly used recommendations):
• Drink 64 ounces of water every day.
• Take nutrition supplements containing vitamins A, D, E, K, B-complex,
iron, and calcium every day.
• Eat smaller meals, more often throughout the day.
• Eat a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and fat with every meal.
• Track food intake, at least initially, to form healthy habits and
understand food intake.
• Limit foods and drinks with added sugar; limit fatty and fried foods;
limit carbonated and caffeinated drinks.
• Specifically for patients after gastric bypass, limit spicy and acidic foods.
