There are lots of questions any time you are preparing for a major procedure, and there’s even more related to the recovery process. In general with bariatric surgery, most patients spend 2-5 days in the hospital, and 4-6 weeks recovering before resuming regular activities. Although that is the average recovery time, there can be variations on recovery time based on the type of bariatric procedure you have performed.
Types of Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a term that encompasses a variety of surgeries all centered around weight loss. Each surgery uses a different method to reduce your caloric intake by reducing the amount of food you need to feel full. Your options for bariatric surgery at Nashville Bariatrics include:
- Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: A small walnut-sized pouch is created at the top of your stomach and connected to the lower portion of your small intestine to allow food to pass through your body faster.
- Sleeve Gastrectomy: Approximately 80-85% of your stomach gets removed to create a smaller “sleeve” stomach to reduce your amount of food intake.
- Bariatric Revision Surgery: A surgeon goes in to correct or modify a previous weight loss surgery. This surgery uses different methods based on the previous surgery to achieve the desired result.
Throughout this blog, we will break down recovery times by each of the bariatric surgeries we listed above.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
During a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, your surgeon will either perform an open or laparoscopic surgery to create a smaller stomach pouch and change how it connects to your intestines. Based on which way the surgery is performed, you should expect a different recovery time.
Open Gastric Bypass Recovery
Gastric bypass surgeries were originally performed through an open surgery method. Although most gastric bypasses are now performed laparoscopically, you may have to have an open surgery if you have one of the following concerns:
- Significant scar tissue that can block the view of the surgical field
- Extremely high BMI (abdominal fat may hinder access or visualization of the surgical field)
- Health conditions that increase risks of laparoscopic surgery such as tuberculosis or a low blood platelet count
If there are concerns for your safety or any complications with a laparoscopic approach, your gastric bypass surgery will be converted to an open procedure.
Following an open gastric bypass surgery, it can take six to eight weeks for your incision to heal. You’ll need to spend around 5-7 days in the hospital to ensure your incision starts the healing process properly and to watch for signs of infection.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Recovery
When a surgeon uses a laparoscopic approach, they use multiple smaller incisions to insert specialized cameras and small instruments to perform the surgery. Since this is a minimally invasive method, you will have a faster recovery time than with an open surgery. A laparoscopic approach has become the most common method with over 90% of gastric bypasses being performed this way.
You can expect to spend around 2-3 days in the hospital and to return to work in around 4 weeks. Recovery time will vary from each individual surgery, but if you make sure to follow your post-operative instructions carefully you can make your recovery easier.
Sleeve Gastrectomy Recovery
When you undergo a sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon will laparoscopically remove a section of your stomach to make a smaller, sleeve-shaped stomach. Immediately following your surgery, you will need to spend 3-5 days in the hospital to monitor your incisions.
In most cases, it will take 4-6 weeks to return to work. It will take time for your diet to return to a typical balanced diet for at least 6 weeks, and during this time you shouldn’t do any abdominal exercises or heavy lifting to avoid strain.
Bariatric Revision Surgery Recovery
Due to the complex nature of bariatric revision surgery, there is not just one recovery timeline to go off of. As a general rule, you can expect your recovery time to be similar to your original surgery’s recovery period. For example, if you are getting a revision for a sleeve gastrectomy, you should expect your recovery time to include 3-5 days in the hospital and around 6 weeks of postoperative restrictions.
Tips For Bariatric Surgery Recovery
Regardless of which type of weight loss surgery you have done, there are a few tips that can be helpful during the recovery process for all of them.
Adjusting to Your New Appetite
Once you’ve had bariatric surgery, your relationship with food will take a drastic turn. You’ll need to be cautious as your body adjusts to your now-limited stomach. As you recover, you will have a diet plan to help you adjust. Your diet can be on a time period basis to help your recovery, for example:
- Water and fluid for the first two weeks
- Runny foods (think applesauce or yogurt) during weeks three and four
- Soft foods (mashed potatoes) from week five to week eight
- A regular healthy and balanced diet after eight weeks
In addition to your recommended diet, you will need to be mindful of how you eat. Reducing your portions is crucial during the beginning of your recovery to avoid complications or discomfort. You’ll also want to be mindful of what you are eating, as things like white bread can block your smaller stomach.
Exercise
Although bariatric surgery aims to help you lose weight, you want to make sure that the weight you lose is made up of fat instead of muscle mass. If your doctor has not already provided a plan to incorporate exercise into your recovery process, make sure to discuss what your options are to safely begin. Do not rush to a gym though, because the goal is to slowly increase your activity levels to avoid strain.
Follow-Up Appointments
Your doctor will make sure to schedule regular follow-up appointments to monitor your weight loss progress.
Weight Loss Injections and Bariatric Surgery
After your bariatric surgery your doctor may suggest the use of weight-loss injections to continue managing and losing your weight following surgery. Weight-loss injections like Mounjaro and Ozempic work by lowering blood sugar and creating a feeling of fullness.
Symptoms to Monitor
Malnutrition
One of the most common side effects of Bariatric surgery is malnutrition. Since your limited food intake spends less time in your digestive system, your body has a lot less time to absorb the nutrients in the food. Sometimes malnutrition comes without symptoms, but there are a few signs you may notice that can point to malnutrition, such as:
- Feeling weak
- Shortness of breath
- Pale skin
- Noticeable heartbeats
- Lack of energy or tiredness
- Pins and needles feeling
If you are concerned about malnutrition, talk to your healthcare provider about ways you can supplement your diet. Your doctor will perform regular blood tests as part of your follow-up appointments, so they can suggest nutritional supplements that best fit your needs. They can also give advice on how to incorporate different nutrients into your meals to create a balanced diet.
Wound Care
After you return home from your surgery, you will need to monitor your incisions to ensure they heal properly. Infections usually occur within three to ten days after a surgery, so if you notice symptoms of infection you will need to contact your doctor. Signs of infection include:
- Pain around your incision
- Redness around your surgery site
- Fever of 101 degrees Fahrenheit or more
- Foul smelling liquid coming from the incision
Side Effects
As you start to adjust to your new stomach, there are a number of symptoms you may experience. You’ll want to monitor these symptoms and mention them to your doctor at follow up appointments to ensure you are making progress as you recover. Symptoms may include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Dehydration
- Irregular bowel movements
- Flatulence
- Anemia
These symptoms commonly occur as a result of the reduced stomach size, since you are in the process of relearning how much food you can eat. If these symptoms become persisting issues, make sure to talk to your doctor about treatment options.
Bariatric Surgery at Nashville Bariatrics
If you are considering bariatric surgery for weight loss, our experienced surgeon, Dr. Patrick Davis, at Nashville Bariatrics can help. Dr. Davis can help you find the best surgical option for your goals and consult on your next steps in your weight loss journey.
We provide self-payment options and financing plans for patients without insurance coverage or whose procedures are not covered.
Set up a consultation today to discuss how bariatric surgery can transform your life.
Visit Nashville Bariatrics at 393 Wallace Rd Ste 301, Bldg A Nashville, TN 37211, or call us at 615.425.0550.
Dr. Davis and his team are ready to guide you toward a healthier lifestyle.