The road to recovery after Bariatric surgery:
Your guide to a successful journey.
Bariatric surgery, such as gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, can be a life-changing procedure for individuals struggling with obesity. These surgeries offer a sustainable solution by reducing the stomach’s size or altering the digestive system’s functionality. If you’re considering bariatric surgery, it’s crucial to understand the recovery process and post-operative care to ensure the best possible outcomes.
In this article, we’ll explore the recovery period, dietary guidelines, time off from work, incision care, and essential do’s and don’ts after bariatric surgery. We’ll also discuss the expertise of Dr. Hidalgo and the renowned Hidalgo Bariatrics center in Tijuana, which is recognized for its excellence in weight loss surgery.
When you undergo bariatric surgery, you need to understand that your post operative diet and physical activity are very important not only for your fast recovery but also for your long term results. Obviously, everybody wants a fast recovery and worries if it is not happening. That is why you need to understand every step of bariatric surgery.
How can I have a fast recovery after bariatric surgery?
The most effective way to shorten recovery time is to get active right away after surgery. You have to promote your circulation even doing simple things as changing positions in bed or walking short distances in the hospital room. Walking around as soon as you can will help as well to reduce the risk of develop vein thrombosis.
Remember that to enhance healing and to avoid the formation of blood clots, you need good blood flow and physical activity will help to that. Most patients generally spend one or two days maximum in the hospital after a minimally invasive bariatric procedure.
The recovery period after bariatric surgery can vary from person to person, but generally, it takes around four to six weeks to fully recover. During the first week, patients typically experience discomfort, soreness, and fatigue. However, these symptoms gradually improve as the days and weeks go by.
It’s crucial to follow your surgeon’s recommendations and attend for a smooth recovery. The incisions take around 2-3 weeks to be completely healed and patients on average take 3-4 weeks to start with solid foods.
Dietary Guidelines:
Immediately after surgery, your diet will consist of clear liquids, such as broth and sugar-free gelatin. Over the next few weeks, you’ll progress to a pureed diet and then a soft food diet. Finally, you’ll transition to a regular diet with smaller portion sizes.
It’s important to adhere strictly to the recommended dietary guidelines to promote proper healing, prevent complications, and support long-term weight loss. Remember that at Hidalgo Bariatrics we offer you in your all included package a consultation with a specialized Bariatric dietitian that will help you out to understand a bit better the journey you’ll have after surgery.
After this period of time, you will have a designed post op strict dietary plan that will suit all your needs. This post op diet will obviously include drinking plenty of water as it helps your body recover fast and properly. Hydratation is mainly important to recover and to start to lose weight. Eight glasses of water a day are recommended.
How many days do I need to go back to work?
The amount of time you need to take off from work depends on several factors, including the type of surgery, your overall health, and the nature of your job. In general, patients can expect to take at least 1 week off as minimum. However, physically demanding jobs may require a longer recovery period. It’s essential to discuss your specific circumstances with your surgeon to determine the appropriate duration of time off.
If you undergo laparoscopic bariatric surgery, your recovery becomes very easy and short. However, all recovery time is different. You need to understand that having patience and going through recovery at your own pace is a clue to the speediness of recuperation.
Just listen to your body, follow the instructions and do not push too far. You might experience some side effects such as nausea, weakness, low energy; fatigue, etc. so, do not plan to go back to work immediately. Returning to work will take no less than 5 to 10 days for laparoscopy. For more invasive procedures it will take longer.
For example, If you work at an office where you just stay seated in front of a computer, you can go back with no problem at all! Just make sure to stand up for 10 mins and walk every hour or such to prevent blood clots. If you do heavy lifting you might want to take more time off, let the incision close and then little by little get back on track.
Incision Care:
After bariatric surgery, you’ll have small incisions on your abdomen. It’s vital to keep these incisions clean and dry to minimize the risk of infection. Your surgeon will provide instructions on how to care for the incisions, which may include keeping them covered with sterile dressings and avoiding excessive moisture or trauma.
If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, contact your surgeon immediately. Keep them cleaned with water and antiseptic, at Hidalgo Bariatrics we add a special skin glue ion top of your incisions, it will come off by itself, don’t pull it or scratch it, day by day it will be I dissolved by itself.
Is there anything I shouldn't do after bariatric surgery?
Do's and Don'ts:
- Do follow your surgeon’s instructions regarding diet, exercise, and medication.
- Do engage in light physical activity as recommended by your surgeon to promote healing.
- Do stay hydrated and consume adequate amounts of water throughout the day.
- Don’t lift heavy objects or engage in strenuous activities during the initial weeks of recovery.
- Don’t consume carbonated drinks, sugary foods, or high-fat meals, as they can lead to discomfort or complications.
- Don’t smoke or drink alcohol, as they can hinder the healing process and contribute to complications.
- Don’t neglect your emotional well-being; seek support from friends, family, or support groups to address any post-surgical challenges.
If you notice any signs of infection, such as redness, swelling, or discharge, contact your surgeon immediately. Keep them cleaned with water and antiseptic, at Hidalgo Bariatrics we add a special skin glue ion top of your incisions, it will come off by itself, don’t pull it or scratch it, day by day it will be I dissolved by it self.
Bariatric surgery is a transformative step towards achieving significant weight loss and improving overall health. Understanding the recovery process and adhering to post-operative guidelines are essential for a successful outcome. With the expertise of Dr. Hidalgo and the renowned Hidalgo Bariatrics center in Tijuana, you can receive top-quality.
