The recovery period after weight loss surgery is generally considered 4 to 6 weeks after a few days of hospital stay for the operation. However, the length of time dramatically depends upon the type of weight loss procedure, the patient’s existing health conditions, and post-operative care.
One might consider options like government-funded weight loss surgery in light of financial aspects. This is particularly relevant for patients facing financial constraints or those without comprehensive insurance coverage. In this guide, you’ll learn what to expect during your recovery period after your weight loss surgery, including the logistics of such government funding options. It also provides details on the do’s and don’ts post-surgery, a crucial aspect of ensuring a smooth and speedy recovery.
Post Weight Loss Surgery: Recovery Period
We said the individual’s overall health plays a significant role during the recovery period after weight loss surgery. You’ll likely stay in the hospital for a few days after your weight loss surgery. You’ll be suggested to have certain restrictions and limitations on your diet and physical activities.
The significant change in your lifestyle habits, daily routines, diet, and physical activity requires after the bariatric surgery to get the ultimate benefits post-recovery. However, losing weight is the merit, but the effort you have to spend after achieving your target weight is challenging.
Motivation and perseverance are key in adapting to such drastic changes in your life, mainly when dealing with the consequences and potential weight loss surgery benefits. No one comes equipped with experience for this transformation. The following tips are generally expected for you to obey to ensure positive results from the surgery on your health.
- Chew thoroughly
- Stay hydrated
- Avoid sugary and high-calorie foods
- Limit caffeine and carbonated beverages
- Avoid straws
- Avoid alcohol
- Follow your healthcare team’s guidance and instructions.
Moreover, professional doctors recommend these changes so that optimum health benefits are received within a speculated period by maintaining the achieved weight targets.
What Is The Healing Time After Weight Loss Surgery?
In General, for laparoscopic procedures, such as the gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy, the healing time is broken out into the following parts:
- For the Immediate Hospital Stay Post Surgery – 2 to 3 days.
- Overall Healing Time to Return to Normal Activity – 3 to 5 Weeks.
For more invasive procedures, such as open surgery, the healing time is broken out into the following parts:
- For the Immediate Hospital Stay Post Surgery – 4 to 6 days or more.
- Overall Healing Time to Return to Normal Activity – 6 to 8 Weeks or More.
Recovery Process: What to Expect After Bariatric Surgery?
Professional healthcare providers typically advise the following restrictions in your dietary and physical activity level after the weight loss surgery to recover fastest.
- Dietary Restriction
- Liquid Diet
- Immediately after the weight loss surgery, your doctor will put you on a liquid diet for the first few days.
- Since this is inevitably important for every patient, no cheat codes in your eating habits would be permissible. The strict liquid diet can include broths, unsweetened juice, milk, and strained cream soup.
- Pureed Foods
- The gradual transition will occur once you enter this dietary cycle; transforming from pure liquids to pureed smooth foods will be recommended for 2-3 weeks.
- Mashed vegetables, blended fruits, and smoothies with no hard chunks are some typical recommendations. However, you must consult a professional dietician for your diet chart based on your specific health conditions.
- Soft Foods
- This is the next level after consuming pureed foods, you’ll be allowed to have certain soft foods now; however, they’re not completely solid, and some amount of soft chunks would be permissible.
- Cooked or steamed vegetables and fruits, cooked cereals, mashed potatoes, greek yogurt, cottage cheese, tofu, soft bread, and grains can be on your list of meals to have for the next 3 to 4 weeks.
- Regular Foods
- This also contains solid food, and restrictions are almost removed from this stage, however, with certain precautions for healthy habits.
- Whole grains, fruits, low-fat dairy products, Nuts, Seeds, Lean proteins, non-starchy vegetables, or Eggs can be added to your daily meals, although you still need to take care about repeatedly chewing hard foods, which might put your health at risk.
- Liquid Diet
- Physical Restrictions
- Slow Muscle Movements
- Immediately after the weight loss surgery, you’ll be advised to have slow muscle movements and body rotation within the room during your post-surgery hospital stay. Rest is generally required, and any heavy muscle activity is restricted strictly during this period of some 2 to 3 weeks.
- Moderate Level Movements
- After the first few weeks, you’re ready to gradually increase your physical activity level in different areas, such as gentle walking and household work, with no extra weight burden, and refrain from repeated contact with water.
- Regular Movements
- At this stage, you’re allowed to have shifted to your everyday life functioning with regular physical activities and practices that also include getting back to your work life, however, you must obey certain post-recovery instructions given to you by your doctor.
- Slow Muscle Movements
Potential Complications After Weight Loss Surgery
Any surgery, invasive or non-invasive, carries certain risk factors and potential complications. Discussing these potential risks, including the lifestyle changes after weight loss surgery, with your professional doctor or healthcare provider will always be recommended. If you feel discomfort or notice any changes, contact them as soon as possible.
You must be aware of certain potential complications, although we’ve highlighted some crucial potential complications here and divided them into two parts, short-term and long-term.
- Short-term Complications
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Adverse Reaction to Anesthesia
- Blood Clots
- Leaks in Gastrointenstile System
- Long-term Complications
- Malnutrition
- Gallstones
- Hernias
- Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia)
- Stomach Perforation or Ulcers
- Mental Health Conditions
- Weight Regain
Conclusion
This article comprehensively discussed the recovery period after weight loss or bariatric surgery, the healing time required, and specific dietary and physical restrictions implied post-surgery. We have also highlighted a few potential health complications that may occur due to this surgery, depending on your health conditions and existing comorbidity.
FAQs
How long do you have to rest after weight loss surgery?
After having the 2 to 3 days of hospital stay, generally, you will require another 4 to 6 weeks to come into the regular routine of your daily lifestyle. However, you must obey the post-recovery instructions to maintain your targetted goals.
What are the most challenging days after gastric sleeve?
This depends on individual patient cases and health conditions, usually, the first few days after the weight loss surgery are considered the hardest and most challenging since you’ll have to follow a strict diet and physical restrictions described by your doctor.
What are the rules after weight loss surgery?
Generally, there are dietary and physical restrictions that you may have to manage through maintaining a balance, disciplined lifestyle routine, and changing habits for the good. You can consult a professional dietician for the better outcome of your surgery.
What are the dark sides of weight loss surgery?
There are dark sides to such, but there are potential complications and health risks of weight loss surgeries such as Adverse Reaction to Anesthesia, bleeding, Leaks in Gastrointenstile System, Low Blood Sugar (Hypoglycemia), or Stomach Perforation or Ulcers.
