Gastric sleeve surgery is a popular weight loss operation around the world. However, undergoing it successfully is only the beginning of your journey. You need patience and strict adherence to your doctor’s advice for long-term recovery. Gastric sleeve healing time starts on the operation day and lasts more than a year.
Understanding Gastric Sleeve Surgery Recovery Time
Gastric sleeve recovery time starts on the day you undergo surgery. Your doctor monitors your response a day or two before discharge. After two days, you embark on a healing journey following the guidelines from your surgeon on what to consume and how frequently you should exercise. How well you adhere to the guidelines determines your weight loss and healing success.
Stages in Gastric Sleeve Recovery
A gastric sleeve recovery timeline encompasses the following stages.
Day 1: The Post-Op Diet
Gastric sleeve recovery time starts 24 hours after the operation. During this time, your diet comprises fluids. You should avoid lifting anything heavy and walk for less than an hour. Using a drain tube, your surgeon will perform a leak test.
Days 2–7: Adopting a New Lifestyle
The first week of gastric sleeve recovery time marks a new phase in your lifestyle as your body gets used to low food intake. You should strive to stay hydrated.
Weeks 1–2: Ready for Work
About 7–14 days after the gastric sleeve surgery time, you can go back to work. The nature of your job determines when you resume. Patients who work from an office desk with minimal physical activity can resume work after seven days. You should avoid strenuous activities such as operating heavy machinery or construction duties.
Weeks 2–4: A New Diet and Exercise
Your body is transforming with visible weight loss. You can adopt new foods in your diet and start exercising. You should also take bariatric vitamins and monitor your body weight.
Months 1–12: Adapting to New Food Intake
In the first six months of the gastric sleeve surgery recovery time, your body will experience fatigue. This results from low food intake while your body still requires energy. In the second six months, your body adapts to low food intake. You may experience hair loss, fatigue, fat buildup, and skin accumulation as the body gets leaner.
Start Your Weight Loss Journey Through Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Are you struggling with weight loss? If yes, gastric sleeve surgery can help you shed extra pounds and adopt a healthier lifestyle. At Hospital BCN, we offer gastric sleeve in Mexico. Our experts will walk you through surgery and the recovery time after the gastric sleeve to ensure a complete transformation to a new lifestyle.