What to expect after Gastric Sleeve Surgery

What Can I Expect After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a non-reversible procedure performed under general anesthesia. The actual surgery takes about two hours. Most patients will require at least a few days of recover in the hospital after gastric sleeve surgery. Even with a few days in the hospital, it may be a few weeks before you start to feel like yourself again.

Often times, the abdomen is swollen and sore for up to 14 days after surgery. Your surgeon will most likely prescribe some type of pain medication to help with the pain. If the pain persists longer than expected or becomes severe, it’s important to see your doctor immediately.

Eating After Gastric Sleeve Surgery

With any weight-loss surgery lifestyle changes are necessary. You won’t be able to eat the same way you once did, which will help you drop weight much faster. You will need to retrain your body to eat solid foods, which requires a liquid diet for at least the first two weeks and a diet of pureed foods for a few weeks after that.

The Angeles Health team will help you throughout this process as they lead you through the first year after your surgery. You will have a nutritionist on your team to help you with your diet and any questions you may have. Don’t expect to be able to eat the way you used to, since your stomach will not be able to handle it.

Weight Loss Expectations After Surgery

Over the first six months after gastric sleeve surgery, you can expect to lose between 50 and 80 percent of your excess weight. Sometimes it takes up to a year to see these weight-loss results. This will happen gradually and you must be patient with the weight you lose because it will only happen at a rate of a few pounds a week.

After about two years, you will see the maximum results and should be very close to the ideal weight for your height and body type. As long as you follow all the instructions of your surgical team, nutritionist, and your doctor, you will lose the excess weight putting you at risk for major health issues.

Once the procedure is complete and you are on your way to a new life, new body, and new you, it will be important to remember a few things. After gastric sleeve surgery, you will need to make some specific lifestyle changes, which include:

• Modifying your Behavior
• Regular Exercise
• Eating Slowly
• Eating Smaller Portion Sizes
• Chewing Thoroughly
• Following very Specific Dietary Instructions