People often postpone weight loss surgery because fear of the unknown makes the decision feel overwhelming. Here we provide you a brief step by step information about –
What To Expect After Bariatric Surgery
In the first few hours after your bariatric surgery, you will be encouraged to begin drinking water in small, gentle sips. During your initial 3–4 days in the hospital, you will follow a clear liquid diet under the close supervision of our medical team to ensure safe healing and comfort.
You will also be guided to start walking shortly after surgery, following your surgeon’s instructions, as gentle movement supports recovery and helps prevent complications.
For your comfort, appropriate pain relief will be provided whenever needed, and our team will closely monitor your wellbeing throughout this early recovery phase.
Eating After Bariatric Surgery
We will provide you with a structured four-stage dietary guideline plan to support your recovery and adaptation to a new way of eating.
Your first liquid meal should typically be introduced on the 4th or 5th day after the surgery. Just like with drinking, it’s important to eat slowly—starting with a very small portion of 30 ml and gradually increasing the amount each day.
Around 1.5 months after the surgery, you will be able to eat regular solid food, though in much smaller portions than before. For a balanced diet, aim for three main meals a day, with the option of healthy snacks twice a day between meals. Establishing regular mealtimes will help you maintain long-term success!
LEARN!!!
- Do not drink while eating! Drink at least 30 minutes before and 30 minutes after a meal.
- Listen to your stomach, not your eyes!
- Stop eating when you feel full, even if it seems that you have not eaten enough. One extra bite may cause significant discomfort and dumping.
- Drink between meals! The necessary amount of water is at least 1.5 l a day.
It is strongly recommended to take vitamin and mineral supplements after bariatric surgery to support your health and prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies. Always follow your surgeon’s / dietitian’s guidance for the best results!
Exercise After Bariatric Surgery
Physical activity plays a crucial role in your recovery after surgery. Walking is one of the most effective and safest forms of exercise in the early stages.
As you progress, establishing a regular daily exercise routine is highly recommended. Exercise not only supports weight loss but also helps maintain muscle tone and improve hormonal balance for your overall well-being.
By around six weeks post-surgery, you will be able to add higher intensity physical activity besides walking, except for highly strenuous exercises. Always follow your surgeon’s and team’s advice and listen to your body as you build a sustainable fitness routine.
Expected Weight Loss After Gastric Bypass and Sleeve Gastrectomy Bariatric Surgery
In the first year after gastric bypass surgery, patients typically lose about two-thirds of their excess weight on average.
Weight loss following sleeve gastrectomy may be slightly slower, as this procedure does not involve malabsorption, meaning the body still absorbs nutrients normally.
However, approximately 10% of patients do not achieve the desired weight loss, often due to continued consumption of high-calorie liquids and soft foods, so called ‘slider foods’ – such as peanut butter, ice cream, and sugary sodas – which can easily pass through the small stomach pouch without promoting satiety.
It’s important to remember that surgery alone is not a miracle cure for obesity. Long term success will depend on your commitment to making sustainable lifestyle changes and breaking old, unhealthy habits.
Follow-Up Care
Regular follow-up visits and / or consultations with your bariatric team and/or GP are highly recommended until your weight stabilises. That will help you monitor your progress and ensure a smooth recovery.
Annual blood tests are required to assess your overall health and detect any potential nutrient deficiencies. Consistent follow-up care plays a crucial role in maintaining long-term health and well-being.
What Benefits You Can Expect After Bariatric Surgery
Beyond the cosmetic, social, and self-esteem benefits, weight loss surgery leads to significant improvements in overall health. Many obesity-related conditions can be prevented, improved, or even resolved following surgery.
Health Conditions Positively Impacted by Weight-Loss Surgery:
- Diabetes type 2
- Hypertension
- Sleep apnea
- Back and joint disease
- High blood cholesterol
- Gastroesophaegeal reflux disease – can be treated successfully with gastric bypass surgery.
- Depression. Important to assess other reasons of depression as well. Obesity might be only one of them.
- Cardiovascular disease
- Asthma. Several studies show that many patients have significant asthma symptoms improvement after weight loss surgery.
- Cancer. Risk of developing several cancer types such as – cervical cancer, breast cancer, esophaegeal cancer, gall bladder cancer and others – is also associated with obesity.
- Urinary incontinence. Excess weight in your abdominal area may cause urinary incontinence as there is an extra pressure on your bladder.
- Infertility. Ovulatory disfunction, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) are associated with obesity and overweight. In addition, obese women have a higher rate of baby miscarriage than women with normal weight. Treating obesity might be a serious consideration if a couple can not achieve pregnancy.
- Liver disease.
- Longevity. Weight loss improves several life threatening health conditions adding years to your life.
Learn more about criteria, benefits and side effects of weight loss surgery by contacting us today!
