Gastric bypass recovery: what to expect and tips

Read more about our guide on gastric bypass

Chapter 6

Gastric bypass is considered to be one of the most effective bariatric surgery procedures for achieving long-term weight loss. However, the gastric bypass recovery process can be both exciting and challenging.

Following gastric bypass surgery, lifestyle, and dietary modifications are necessary for the best achievable results. In this chapter, we will provide an overview of the gastric bypass recovery process, including information on hospitalization, pain management, diet restrictions, and lifestyle changes.

By following the recovery process and taking care of yourself, it is possible to minimize discomfort, promote fast and proper healing, and prepare for a successful weight loss journey.

How long is gastric bypass recovery?

Gastric bypass recovery time varies from person to person depending on the individual’s health and age. Including dietary healing to surgical healing, recovery is approximately 1 year long.

During the first few weeks, you might experience some discomfort and side effects. All of these will gradually fade out as you heal. After your incisions are healed, you will level up the intensity of your physical activities. For instance, walking in the early days will slowly find its way to going to the gym.

What to expect during the gastric bypass surgery recovery period

The gastric bypass surgery recovery can be challenging, but it’s also an important period in your weight loss journey. Gastric bypass surgery is a complex surgical procedure that results in significant alterations to the digestive system, meaning your body will need time to rest and heal.

As a result of gastric bypass, your body will absorb fewer calories and fewer nutrients. This can lead to nutrient deficiencies. To prevent that, you are going to need to take supplements for life to make up for the nutrients your body needs but lacks due to the surgery to function properly and stay healthy. This can indirectly optimize your recovery as well.

Having a clear understanding of the recovery period can help you prepare mentally and physically for your recovery journey and greatly improve the chances of a successful result.

Early recovery: hospital stay and discharge

You will start your journey of recovery at the hospital where you will stay for 2–4 days for observation. Some surgeons may start giving you liquids orally in the hospital. Ideally, you will be fed and given blood thinners and painkillers via IV drips to give your stomach more rest and time to heal.

While at the hospital, the incision site on your stomach will be regularly checked and redressed as needed. You might feel some discomfort during anesthesia and after it wears off. For instance, as your body gets rid of the anesthesia, you will feel the need to urinate. Sometimes it can be hard to do so, and it can make you feel uncomfortable.

When is it safe to return to your daily life after gastric bypass surgery?

It is safe to go back to work after 2–3 weeks depending on your recovery progress. For some people, due to their overall health or other factors, they will need to rest up to 6 weeks postoperatively.

As for driving, you shouldn’t be in the driver’s seat while you are under the influence of your prescribed pain medication(s). Which should be around 1 week to 10 days.

Without putting stress on your stomach, you can do most other daily physical activities. Such as cooking, and cleaning; and 10 days later, provided they also do not require lifting heavy items, you can go grocery shopping, meditate lightly, do dishes and laundry, tend the garden, etc.

Homecoming after surgery: first few weeks

Welcome home! The first few weeks of your recovery will consist of proper and mindful usage of your medication, mentally adapting to the journey, and gradually improving your diet and exercises.

For 6 weeks, you will go through a diet plan starting from clear liquids and will gradually work your way up to solid food. During this period, you will go through 5 diet stages in the span of 1 month to 6 weeks: clear liquid diet, semi-liquid semi-puree diet, puree diet, semi-puree semi-solid diet, and solid diet. The duration of each stage may differ due to your toleration of the density of the foods.

You should take your time when it comes to trying new foods after surgery. Try them individually and not at once so that you know which food is giving you a hard time digesting it for the time being.

During your 1 year recovery, you will be asked to attend 4–6 follow–up appointments to measure your blood levels and see if you are lacking any nutrients. This way, you can either keep up with the diet your dietitian provides or it can be modified accordingly with any issues present.

Staying on track: first six months

The first 6 months may be challenging for some people. You are going through changes; mentally, dietarily, and physically. There might be some points where you can feel weak and if your sleep schedule is not stable, you might find it hard to wake up in the mornings. That is absolutely normal, at first. With the help of supplements and an intact sleep schedule, you can overcome these issues.

You will experience the most rapid and big weight loss in the first 6 months. As time goes on and your body adjusts, this will slow down, but will not be a concerning slowness. As long as you keep up with your diet and exercise, you will achieve your desired results.

It is important to surround yourself with loved ones during this period. Sharing your milestones and the happiness that comes along with them can make you and the people around you happy. But sometimes, there will be days that you might feel a little down. Reach out to them, and do not limit yourself to that either. It is okay to seek professional help in the face of difficulties.

Maintaining weight loss after a year

A year after gastric bypass is the time you can tolerate the majority of the foods. By this time, you should be very close to your goal weight, or have lost a significant amount of it: approximately 60% of your extra weight!

At this point on, it is very important to stick to your new diet and lifestyle. Although, every now and then, you might crave things that are out of your diet program. And that is totally normal. There are healthier options for them such as cauliflower-based pizza instead of dough-based pizza, which is extremely satisfying! Make sure to portion it for yourself appropriately. To make the results of gastric bypass long-lasting, it is up to the patient to keep up the good work.

Tips for a smoother recovery after gastric bypass

Of course, there are more tips to further smoothen and promote your recovery and achieve the best outcomes from the procedure. Recovery is a journey. And it is important to take your time and take good care of yourself.

Listen to your body closely

Your body will clearly tell you what it needs, what is wrong, and what is right. All you need to do is listen. When you feel tired or weak, re-evaluate your water intake and/or your nutrient intake. Keep up with your follow-up appointments to mend all the things that are lacking in your body.

If you cannot tolerate a certain food at the time, your body will definitely tell you that it is not ready for that yet. So, you should listen, and try that certain food a week or two later.

Stay hydrated

Hydration is one of the most important things during and after recovery. Even before. Water is life. Dehydration can cause electrolyte imbalance, fatigue, constipation, and dizziness.

Water can also help promote a healthy, proper, and hasty recovery. It can also help with weight loss by filling up the stomach. But remember, you should stop drinking fluids 30 minutes before eating pureed or solid food and continue drinking fluids 30 minutes after your meal. This also applies to pureed or solid snacks.

Stick to your diet plan

To achieve the best results and maintain long-term weight loss, it is essential to stick to your diet plan. Following the guidelines starting from the first day of your recovery will help you along your recovery journey and help you lose weight in a healthy way.

For a standard gastric bypass diet, it is recommended to stay away from foods that are high in fat, sugar, calories, and carbohydrates. They can either affect the weight loss process negatively or make way for possible complications.

Consider progressive overload exercises

Progressive overload exercises can help greatly to improve one’s physical fitness levels. It is important to start slowly. A month after your surgery, you can start doing soft exercises such as swimming, cycling, and soft–style dances.

After you have recovered enough, you can begin resistance training. It can help build strength and improve physical fitness levels. However, for the first few months, there’s a limit to the weights that you can lift. If you do lifts that are too heavy for you at the moment, it may lead to a hiatal hernia or other possible injuries. Start with light weights, and progressively work your way up. Do not start with heavy lifting immediately.

You can also do some cardio to improve endurance and promote weight loss. You can go for a jog, cycle, swim, etc. you can increase the duration, frequency, and hardness level of these exercises slowly as you progress.

If after a workout you feel pain or discomfort, give your body time to rest and recover. Then, you can go back to your exercises.

Know how to manage pain

It is common to experience pain after gastric bypass surgery. For the management of pain, you will be prescribed painkillers. You can also do breathing exercises to relieve pain. It can help greatly. And give your body time to rest and heal. But of course, do not forget to keep yourself mobile and hydrated.

If after using pain relief tips, it does not go away or it is severe, it may be a sign that there is an underlying condition. In this case, please contact your healthcare provider for further examination and to rule out any complications.

References:

(1) Fisher BL. Comparison of Recovery Time after Open and Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and Laparoscopic Adjustable Banding. Obesity Surgery. 2004;14(1):67-72. doi:https://doi.org/10.1381/096089204772787310 Link

(2) Major P, Stefura T, Małczak P, et al. Postoperative Care and Functional Recovery After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy vs. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Among Patients Under ERAS Protocol. Obesity Surgery. 2017;28(4):1031-1039. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s11695-017-2964-3 Link

(3) Faintuch J, Souza S a. F, Fabris SM, Cecconello I, Capodaglio P. Rehabilitation needs after bariatric surgery. European Journal of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine. 2013;49(3):431-437. Accessed March 27, 2023. Link