If you have been thinking about having gastric sleeve surgery to help you lose weight, you should have a good understanding of what happens during the surgery and what you can expect during your gastric sleeve recovery time.
The following is an overview of gastric sleeve recovery day by day that will give you an idea of what to expect, so you can be sufficiently prepared and have an idea of how much time you will need to take off from work.
Tips to Prepare for a Smooth Gastric Sleeve Recovery
Having any type of surgery will disrupt your usual schedule, which is why preparing in advance for your gastric sleeve recovery can make a significant difference to how smoothly it goes.
Before your surgery, you need to understand that you will not be physically able to fulfill all of your usual responsibilities during your gastric sleeve recovery. You will not be able to have surgery this week and drive carpool next week, and if you have pets to walk, children to care for, or other ongoing tasks you are responsible for, you will need to arrange for some help that will last at least three weeks after your surgery. Some helpful gastric sleeve recovery tips include:
- Request enough time off from work for you to adequately recover. Depending on how labor-intensive your job is, you may need to take off somewhere between 2 and 4 weeks.
- Someone should stay with you around the clock for a couple of days to a week, depending on your circumstances.
- You will not be able to pick up anything heavier than 10 to 15 pounds for several weeks, so if you have small children or large pets you need to care for, you will need to arrange for some help.
- Make sure that you have everything you need at home to make it easier on yourself. Get your prescriptions filled in advance, make sure you have a good supply of your personal care products, and set out a supply of your most comfortable clothes or loungewear so they are easy to get to.
- If your bedroom requires walking up any stairs, talk with your surgeon and find out if you will need to set up an alternate location to sleep for a few days.
- Set up a comfortable recovery spot that is inviting and cozy and is stocked with easy-to-reach supplies. It could include pillows, blankets, your medication, water, books, magazines, snacks, the remote control, and any other items that will make your gastric sleeve recovery time go more smoothly.
- Do some advance preparation to make it easier for someone to help care for you and your family, like cooking or freezing some meals in advance, finishing the laundry, laying out clothes for the kids by day, and writing out simple instructions for anyone caring for the pets, etc.
Gastric Sleeve Recovery Day by Day
Day 1
Immediately after your gastric sleeve surgery, you will be closely monitored, and the medical team will help you take short walks around your room to help prevent a condition called DVT or deep vein thrombosis, which is a serious blood clot condition that can occur after surgery.
You will also be guided in performing breathing exercises that need to be done in a certain way to prevent developing pneumonia or other breathing complications after your gastric sleeve surgery.
Once you are released from the recovery area, you may need to spend a night in the hospital before you are discharged to go home. You will be provided with pain medication to help you stay comfortable, and you should get as much rest as you can. You will more than likely not be allowed to eat or drink anything except ice chips until the next day.
Day 2
You will start consuming a diet of clear liquids, beginning with broths, water, sugar-free gelatin, etc., the day after your surgery. You will need to ensure you remain properly hydrated and will be encouraged to continue to drink liquids several times a day, but this will not be as easy as it sounds. You will not feel as hungry or thirsty, and your stomach will be tiny compared to what it was like previously, so it will fill up very fast.
You will need to get as much sleep as you can, but it is still very important for you to get up periodically and walk around to keep your circulation flowing to prevent DVT. Most people continue to feel discomfort the day after their gastric sleeve surgery and continue to use pain medication. Some people are released from the hospital and allowed to go home at this time, but must first pass a leak test before they are discharged from the hospital. This test makes sure that the staple line in your stomach is securely closed and there are no leaks.
Days 3-4
Most people are starting to feel less discomfort at this point and may no longer need any pain medication. They are normally allowed to go home on the third or fourth day once they pass the “leak test” and are instructed to continue their walking routine and to continue drinking a specific amount of clear liquids every day. It is a good idea to set reminder alarms on your phone so you remember to walk and get your fluids.
Days 5-7
Somewhere around the fifth or sixth day, you will have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon so they can monitor your progress. You will be instructed to gradually increase your walking distance, but you will still be very restricted in the activities you can do. You will not be able to do things like drive, climb, have sex, swim, lift heavy objects, etc., until you are cleared by your surgeon, which can take up to around four weeks. Depending on your circumstances, you may begin adding other liquid nutrients to your diet, like protein shakes.
Week by Week Gastric Sleeve Recovery Time
Week 2
By the second week, you should be able to walk a bit further, and you should be in a routine that helps you stay well hydrated and get the most amount of rest possible. Your surgeon will most likely provide you with some additional pureed liquid foods you can add to your diet like yogurt and smooth soups that are free from chunks.
Weeks 3-4
By this time, you should be cleared to increase your activity level and may be able to return to work, depending on the type of job you have. Your stomach will be able to tolerate milder, soft, low-fat, and sugar-free foods that can be pureed to be smooth. You need to ensure you are getting enough protein, and because your smaller stomach will become full very fast, it is recommended that you eat your protein sources first.
Week 5-6
You will be able to eat more of a regular diet by now, but you need to stay away from highly processed foods and focus on eating healthy choices that are full of nutrients. Your surgeon will give you a list of foods that are safe to eat and those you should stay away from, like sugar, caffeine, and carbonated beverages, during your entire recovery to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Most of your activity restrictions should be lifted by now, so you can begin ramping up the amount of exercise you are getting. Make sure you run things by your surgeon before you add in strenuous activities.
Gastric sleeve recovery time is different for everyone, but most individuals are able to begin light activity and start on a diet that gradually allows their stomach to heal and adjust slowly to transition back to solid foods and a new, healthier way of eating. You will attend follow-up visits with the LESI team, and they will help monitor your progress and keep you on track to reach your goals.
Where Can I Learn more about Gastric Sleeve Surgery in Alpharetta, Georgia?
If you are ready to take the first step in reclaiming control of your health and achieving lasting weight loss, the experts at Laparoscopic & Endoscopic Surgery Institute in Alpharetta, GA, are here to help you reach your goals.
Dr. Michael Williams and Dr. Brendon Curtis have extensive expertise in helping people suffering from obesity find solutions that are proven to work, like the gastric sleeve and the gastric bypass. The knowledgeable team at LESI does more than just perform and oversee your surgery; they offer extensive support to ensure you are set up for success. Some of the ongoing services they provide include nutritional counseling, exercise guidance, and continuous in-person and virtual support that is designed to help you build healthy habits that last long-term.
It can be a bit overwhelming deciding on a weight loss solution and planning all the details, but having a highly-skilled surgeon you can trust, and a compassionate, supportive weight loss team at your side will make a huge difference in how successful you are. Contact the team at LESI and set up your personal consultation to learn more about gastric sleeve surgery and the other weight loss solutions we offer.
