Gastric Sleeve Before and After: What to Expect During Surgery Recovery

You’ve done your research, picked your surgeon, and decided on your weight loss surgery procedure, and you’re officially scheduled for surgery. However, do you know how much time you’ll need to take off from work? What about childcare? Will you need the help of a family member or loved one the first few days post-op?

Rest and recovery time are crucial to the health benefits of any surgery, and bariatric surgery is no exception. Even with minimally invasive options like gastric sleeve surgery, you still have to plan for some downtime. So, what does the recovery process look like for gastric sleeve surgery? Embracing a healthier lifestyle post-surgery is essential to maintain health improvements and mitigate obesity-related risks.

How long will I be in the hospital after gastric sleeve surgery, and what is the recovery time?

Due to the minimally invasive nature of gastric sleeve surgery, patients are typically discharged from the hospital within 1-3 days. In some cases, patients can even be discharged the same day as their surgery; however, this practice is less common, and there must be no complications.

During your stay in the hospital, staff will monitor you, and tests will be administered to ensure there are no significant leaks or incision issues. Once your surgeon has cleared you, you can return home to continue your recovery.

Things to consider while recovering from gastric sleeve surgery at home

Before leaving the hospital, you will be given care instructions and a diet plan. Feeling exhausted after undergoing major surgery and consuming very few calories is normal. Your body will devote most of its energy to healing, so plan on resting quite a bit during the first few days back home. This period is crucial for losing weight, and maintaining a commitment to healthy eating and exercise is essential for long-term success.

Take into consideration the layout of your home. Are there stairs? If so, will you have to climb the steps to get to your bedroom? How easy is it to get to the bathroom? While light activities like brief walks are recommended, climbing stairs and standing or walking for too long can be challenging, so it is essential to consider these questions ahead of time. Additionally, weight gain is potential if lifestyle changes are not maintained, so ongoing medical supervision is necessary to monitor progress and address complications.

How quickly can I return to work after gastric sleeve surgery? 

After gastric sleeve surgery, most patients can return to work within 1 week, and some return within 3-4 days. However, different factors contribute to how quickly you can begin working again.

These factors include:

• Type of Work – Returning to a desk job is much different than returning to a career in construction. The physical demands and activity level required to do your job will affect the time you need to take off. 
• Overall Healing Process—Everyone heals differently and at their own pace. Returning to work depends on how your recovery goes and whether you experience any complications that can cause the healing process to take longer.

How long will it take for my stomach to fully heal from gastric sleeve surgery?

There is a difference between returning to everyday activities and complete recovery. As time passes after your sleeve gastrectomy surgery, you will gradually be able to begin eating more and taking on a more active lifestyle. You should feel less tired and return to your routine within a few weeks of open surgery. However, your stomach will still be healing.

On average, it takes about 2-3 weeks for the incisions to heal and 6-8 weeks for the stomach staple line to heal. After one month, most people can begin a regular exercise routine and are on the way to fully recovering.

Common challenges during the bariatric surgery recovery process

Post-surgery side effects will vary; most go away over time, but adjusting to the new diet and lifestyle brings challenges. Additionally, the surgery can significantly reduce the risk of weight-related health problems such as diabetes as high blood pressure, and heart disease.

Here are a few more than half the things you may experience while recovering from gastric sleeve surgery:

• Nausea – After surgery, you must re-learn how and what to eat. Your stomach will be a fraction of the size it used to be. As you gradually begin incorporating more food, excellent food, you will have to determine what your stomach can handle. Eating or drinking too much or too fast can result in nausea or vomiting.
• Feeling Weak – Consuming fewer calories can make you feel weak or tired. However, this feeling should dissipate as your body adjusts to the new diet.
• Aches and Pains – Some discomfort is expected during recovery; however, aches and pains should lessen as time progresses. If the pain worsens, you should talk to your doctor about possible causes and pain relief options.
• Digestive Irregularities – You may experience side effects like constipation, diarrhea, and gurgling noises from your stomach. These symptoms are usually diet-related and will improve over time.
• Temporary Hair Loss and Skin Changes—Although experiencing hair loss after surgery can be alarming, it is temporary. The initial low-calorie intake and rapid weight loss can cause hair thinning and hormonal changes that can contribute to skin texture and acne changes. To minimize these effects, take a multivitamin regularly and consume enough daily protein based on your diet plan.

The recovery process for gastric sleeve surgery is often shorter and involves fewer complications than gastric bypass surgery.

Why choose BMI for weight loss surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a minimally invasive weight loss surgery that can help you lose and keep weight off. Because it is performed laparoscopically, there is a shorter recovery time than other bariatric surgeries, allowing you to resume your everyday life sooner. Sleeve gastrectomy has been shown to reduce body weight and improve quality of life significantly. Please schedule a consultation with us to learn more about gastric sleeve surgery and recovery.

CONTACT US TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THE GASTRIC SLEEVE RECOVERY PROCESS

Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery* is a caring group of professionals specializing in all types of metabolic and bariatric surgery*.  Our surgeon, Dr. Jay Long, has highly specialized training in bariatric surgery, having completed a fellowship in minimally invasive and bariatric surgery at The Methodist Hospital in Houston, Texas, where he focused on taking care of patients who are morbidly obese.  And we are so proud of our pricing that we publish the costs right on the front page of our website!  Insurance won’t pay?  We offer various financing options to get the healthy body you’ve wanted for years.  Visit us today at www.bmisurgery.com*or call us for a consultation at 205-833-6907.