Weight-loss surgery changes your body. That’s the aim, right? But you need to give yourself enough time to recover from the operation and adjust to a changed digestive system and diet.
For the first few days, you’ll be in hospital under close observation and on a liquid diet. After that, you’ll recover at home and, after a couple of weeks, start eating soft, solid foods.
You may need a couple of weeks off work to recover from the surgery and adjust to your changed body. You should also be enrolled in a comprehensive aftercare program to ensure you have support from your surgeon, dietitian, psychologist and exercise physiologist over the next 12 months.
All information is general in nature. Patients should consider their own personal circumstances and seek a second opinion. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks.
You’ve weighed up the pros and cons and decided to go ahead with bariatric surgery. Maybe you’ve even set a date for the op. Now, you’re wondering what your recovery will be like.
Here’s what to expect.
Hospital Stay
Most weight-loss surgery is now done laparoscopically (known as keyhole surgery). That means your surgeon only makes small incisions. That tends to speed up your recovery time.
After your operation, you’ll spend a few days in hospital. During the first 24 hours, you’ll be closely monitored for any leakage, breathing difficulties, nausea or vomiting. You’ll be on pain medication and probably on a drip to keep you hydrated. Expect a few blood tests too.
If everything is going well, then we’ll start you on a diet of clear liquids around day 2. We’ll keep monitoring your incision, pain levels, blood pressure, fluids and breathing. We’ll also get you up and walking. You may still experience nausea and vomiting during this time.
At Life Weight Loss Centre, our surgeons visit you each day of your hospital stay.
Going Home
After a few days in hospital, you’re usually well enough to go home. If you have any worries about going home, then talk to your surgical team.
Before you leave hospital, we’ll give you instructions about your diet and activity during your recovery. We’ll also let you know which symptoms to look out for.
You will definitely need time off work after weight-loss surgery. We usually encourage people to take at least 14 days off. You’ve just had surgery and are adjusting to a changed digestive system, a restricted diet, and weight loss. You need to take it easy.
Eating After Weight-Loss Surgery
You’re likely to be on a liquid diet and will be monitoring your fluid intake and urine output.
After about two or three weeks, it’s time to gradually start eating some soft, solid foods, including salad, fruit, veggies and soft protein.
You’ll be given detailed guidance on your diet. Ask any questions you may have and follow your personalised plan carefully.
As time goes on, you’ll move to a more normal diet. You’ll usually eat smaller portions than before your surgery and we encourage you to make healthy food choices to get the most benefit out of your surgery.
Ongoing Care
Once you’re past the immediate recovery phase, you should be enrolled in a comprehensive aftercare program.
That’s because there are still some complications we need to look out for, including dumping syndrome. We also want to check things like your blood pressure and blood glucose so we can see how weight loss is improving your health.
And we want to support you as you adjust to a changed life. You’re dealing with changes to your weight, appearance and diet. Many of these changes are good and healthy but it still takes mental and emotional energy to make those adjustments. You’ll have different questions at different stages in your journey.
If you’re a Life Weight Loss Centre patient, then you’ll benefit from our comprehensive aftercare program which includes:
- Unlimited surgeon consultations
- Unlimited telephone based support
- All band adjustments (gastric band patients only)
- A total of up to 7 individual Dietitian, Exercise Physiologist and Psychologist consultations (no group sessions).
How Can Life Weight Loss Centre Help?
Life Weight Loss Centre is a leading provider of weight-loss surgery. With a complication rate of less than 0.05% on primary sleeves, we have successfully helped many people to reap the benefits of bariatric surgery and live healthier, more active lives.
If you’d like to learn more about the surgeries we offer and the recovery support you can expect, please contact us.
Disclaimer
All information is general in nature. Patients should consider their own personal circumstances and seek a second opinion. Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks..
