When you are contemplating bariatric surgery, you want to know everything. How much weight will you be able to lose, how fast will you lose it, and what will be your restrictions are all questions you want answered. If you have responsibilities like children and a demanding job, there are other important unknowns like recovery from this surgery. Recovering from bariatric surgery: what to know.
Time In The Hospital
Bariatric surgery is performed in the hospital using general anesthesia. How long you stay in the hospital is based on the type of surgery performed. If you are having open surgery with a larger incision, your stay could be on average two to five days without any complications. With laparoscopic surgery you may be able to leave the hospital sooner since only very tiny incisions are needed.
During your stay, you will be closely monitored by your caregivers. Expect to be encouraged to move and especially to perform leg movement exercises. Getting out of bed and movement will help to prevent any initial complications from the surgery.
Prior to discharge you should receive dietary and activity instructions from Advanced Surgeons, P.C.
Recovery At Home
Expect to have frequent medical checkups. While at home, you will slowly move from an all liquid diet to soft foods and eventually to solid foods. This should take approximately 6 weeks.
Navigating your recovery at home includes the following guidelines:
- Drink 1.5 to 2 liters of water daily
- Meet your daily walk goals by walking 2 miles by the 6th week
- Take a daily multivitamin
- Follow all dietary guidelines
- Avoid strenuous exercise for 3 to 6 weeks
- Avoid any heavy lifting for 1 to 6 weeks
- Avoid driving until you complete all prescription pain medications
While at home, you should have someone with you the first few days for moral and physical support. They can help with all activities like grocery shopping, taking care of pets, and other needs you cannot handle like showering and using the toilet.
When To Call Advanced Surgeons, P.C.
Certain situations require a call to our office including a fever of 100.5 degrees or higher, if your incision site becomes red and swollen, or there is drainage from the wound. Watch out for chest pain and shortness of breath, swelling in legs, urinating less than 4 times in a 24 hour period, nausea lasting more than 12 hours, and any pain not relieved by pain medications.
In general, expect to get back to normal activities within 3 to 5 weeks after recovery from bariatric surgery.
Contact Advanced Surgeons, P.C. at NUMBER if you want more information about bariatric surgery.