Recovery Guide after Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Recovery Time, Timeline after Gastric Sleeve Surgery. What can you expect after surgery?
Every surgery is unique in its expectations associated with recovery. Gastric sleeve is a restrictive weight loss procedure that makes patients more full and limits how much food the patient eats at one time (Realize). Gastric sleeve creates a vertical sleeve in the stomach from the remaining portion left. The entire sleeve is the size of a banana.
It’s essential to consider recovery requirements and time before committing to the procedure as planning makes sure that your recovery is as smooth as possible. Here are some of the most important things to consider when it comes to gastric sleeve recovery.
Recovery Expectations
After gastric sleeve surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for four nights (Surgery Brisbane). During this early recovery period, the new gastric sleeve is treated with caution. Patients are not permitted to have any liquids or solids for 48 hours after their procedure. Overeating at this time may increase the risk of a leak from the gastric sleeve. During the early recovery phases, a swallow test is made to check the anatomy of this new gastric sleeve. This checks for leaks, which is a complication of the surgery that is rare. If this test is completed well, then patients are commenced on the clear fluid diet. The gastric sleeve capacity will only be about 50-60 MLS. Patients are instructed to drink this much per hour for the first week following their procedure.
Regarding recovery time, different time periods are suggested. This is because some patients take more or less time to feel ready to continue working. According to the University of Pittsburgh, patients can expect a two to the four-week recovery period. Web MD suggests a four to six week recovery period before attempting to return to work.
The incision site will be tender and sore for a period. Because your stomach was made smaller, you will have to pay close attention to how you eat and what you eat and how often. If you do not, the dumping syndrome can occur. This can cause diarrhea and make patients feel weak and nauseous. Depending on how the surgery is performed (open or laparoscopic) will depend on the overall recovery time. Heavy lifting and strenuous exercise are strictly forbidden until complete recovery occurs.
Tips for Success
Understanding the diet and how your new stomach works are essential. Educating yourself on the entire recovery process is essential. What you can and should expect will change daily. The first day, of course, will be the most uncomfortable and the one where your diet will be the most strict. Many patients feel more pain a few days following surgery.
Ultimately, activity will be slow for a while. This is not only because you’re recovering from surgery, but because you are adjusting to your new diet. Your physician will have more specifics on your activity levels as your recovery process progresses. Recovery time is relevant to each patient so that expected recovery time will vary.
References
- http://www.realize.com/education/frequently-asked-questions
- http://www.realself.com/forum/top-ten- tips-before- and-after- gastric-sleeve- surgery
- http://www.surgerybrisbane.com.au/after-care-brisbane-obesity-surgery-greenslopes.html
- http://www.upmc.com/Services/bariatrics/approach/surgery-options/Pages/gastric-sleeve.aspx
