Post-operative Information
At McIndoe our care goes beyond just the procedure itself. Our team is dedicated to making you feel comfortable and reassured from initial consultation to full recovery.
How soon will I recover?
Generally you should be able to go home the day after surgery. During your stay you will be looked after by a team of professional nursing staff. They will be on-hand whenever you need them.
Most patients need two weeks to recover at home before returning to work depending on their progress and type of work. It is advised that you wait around six weeks before resuming exercise.
How soon can I drive after the operation?
To allow the effects of the anesthetic and any post-operative analgesia (painkillers) to wear off we advise you do not drive for at least 2-3 days. We would recommend you contact your insurance company for clarification.
When you start to drive again it may be slightly uncomfortable around the port area until the wound has healed and any bruising has settled.
Pre & Post-Operative Emotional Support
Much attention is given to the need for individuals to meet the physical requirements for surgery, but too often little attention is given to the very real psychological problems which can be associated with the procedure. If surgery is to be given the best possible chance of success at McIndoe we believe it is crucially important to pay close attention to the psychological needs of our patients and provide them with the necessary pre-operative assessment, counselling and support throughout their experience with us.
We believe that patients will benefit from physical, mental and pyschological support, addressing issues of the body, mind and spirit.
How emotional support works
Everyone committed to having weight loss surgery will be invited to a meeting with our emotional support practitioner prior to surgery.
We want out patients to feel supported throughout this potentially life changing experience. As part of the package patients will be offered 6 further sessions of one to one support with McIndoe's emotional support practitioner, bringing the total of sessions to seven. This of course can be extended if required at an additional cost.
We believe that giving patients a place to be 'heard' can be tremendously empowering and beneficial to a person's sense of well being.
At McIndoe we host a monthly support group
Who is it for?
The group is there for individuals who have had or are thinking of having bariatric surgery at McIndoe.
Objectives.
These are firstly to support one another by giving time and effort to listen to each others experiences in relation to the gastric banding. Secondly to explore with one another the experiences of living with a gastric band, sharing feelings - including highs and lows.
The Group.
The aim is to create an environment where you can be yourself whilst also exploring personal feelings, including giving and receiving honest personal feedback with one another.
Communication.
As the group develops, we will aim to share our immediate and actual thoughts and feelings, avoiding superficiality, learning to communicate with each other in an honest and truthful way and listening carefully to others in the group.
Respectful and Safe.
For the group to be effective, members must be able to feel safe and trust each other. A vital element in this trust is that the specific content of the meetings and personal details of members must be kept genuinely confidential.
The Leader.
Our emotional support practitioner will guide the group in the development of the above and look after the well being of individual members. Responsibility is shared amongst those present as to the content of each meeting, however suggestions made by the leader helps members learn more from the experience, help keep on track, and assist individual members as appropriate.
0800 917 4922 