Weight loss surgery is a big step to take for your life. These procedures can allow you to lose over half your excess body weight and live a better, healthier life, free from the burdens of overeating and health problems caused by obesity. But these procedures are not to be done lightly. Most bariatric procedures are not easily reversible. They also require a fair bit of recovery time, as they require changing how your digestive system works.
If you’re looking to get bariatric surgery, you might be wondering about taking time off work. How long should you take off work? First, let’s explore what bariatric surgery recovery is like.
What Is Bariatric Surgery Recovery Like?
1-3 Days Post-Op:
You’ll be in the hospital until you are cleared for release. If you’re getting an all-inclusive bariatric surgery package in Mexico, you’ll be staying at your hotel for a few more days. Your diet will be clear liquids only. If you were on a liquid fast before surgery, you’d simply be continuing that for a few more days.
Abdominal pain and fatigue are common symptoms. You’ll be prescribed painkillers to deal with pain caused by incisions.
One Week:
You’ll be on a pureed food diet, which is what your stomach can handle. By this time, you’ll be back in the comfort of your home.
Two Weeks:
By this time, you’ll most likely be back to your normal routines. However, you’ll only be able to eat pureed and soft foods at this time such as scrambled eggs, ground meat, and mashed potatoes.
4-6 Weeks:
By this time, you’ll be introducing more normal foods into your diet. Most abdominal pain will have gone away by now, but if it still persists, let your doctor know.
One thing that people are concerned about is what they will have to give up after bariatric surgery. Do you have to quit coffee? Read more: How Long to Avoid Coffee After Bariatric Surgery
How Long Is Bariatric Surgery Recovery Time?
Recovery is a journey. Not all patients take the same amount of time to recover. Complications happen, and some patients might find recovery less comfortable than others.
Most patients can return to normality after two weeks. This includes going back to work, doing errands outside of the house, and being able to walk around. However, there’s still more recovery that needs to happen.
A full recovery, that is the ability to resume active exercise and reintroduce typical foods, will take about 4 to 5 weeks. Exercising after bariatric surgery will generally start with short brisk walks and graduate to jogging after a few months.
We recommend asking your doctor when it’s safe to:
- Lift heavy objects
- Do intense exercises such as sports or sprints
- Eat certain types of foods
How Long Do I Have To Take Time Off Work For Bariatric Surgery?
Most patients will be advised to take 1-2 weeks off of work after bariatric surgery. You may be able to go back to work in less time if your job does not require any strenuous activity. If you work from home, you should be able to get back to your normal routine within a week.
The more time you can take off work to recover, the better. However, we understand that not all patients will be able to take much time off work to get this surgery. Make sure to tell your boss and coworkers what you’ll be going through and what recovery will be like. Send them this article!
Get Bariatric Surgery in Mexico & Save Thousands
Dr. Jalil Illan is now working with Dr. Robert Rutledge, the inventor of the mini gastric bypass procedure, to provide bariatric surgery at a lower cost to those who need it most. If you’re from the USA and you’re looking to get bariatric surgery in Mexico, contact Hospital BCN today!