Gastric Sleeve Recovery: What To Expect After LSG and ESG?

To-Do List Before Your Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Day 1 – Surgery Day

After surgery, you’ll spend a few hours in the recovery room with an IV in your arm. Pain is normally moderate on this first day but well controlled through the IV medication. There will be several small incisions on your abdomen that have been closed with stitches and covered.

Some patients experience nausea caused by the anesthesia used during the surgery but this normally dissipates within the first few hours. Your throat may be sore and feel scratchy from the breathing tube that was necessary during surgery.

You will not be allowed to drink anything until the next day but some surgeons allow patients to have ice chips.

After being in the recovery room for a few hours, your surgeon may want you to get up a walk a little bit. This is not easy for most people but is necessary to prevent future complications. You will be transferred from the recovery room to a hospital room to spend the night.

Day 2 – The Day After Surgery

You may feel very thirsty but they will not let you drink anything until you have had a swallow test which will be administered by a radiologist. This normally happens first thing in the morning and is performed to ensure there are not any leaks in your stomach before you are allowed to drink water.

After you pass your swallow test, you will be allowed to drink liquids such as water, clear broth, unsweetened juice, and possibly others depending on what your surgeon allows. It is important that you drink so you do not get dehydrated but you will be instructed to take it slow (you will not be allowed to drink anything carbonated or caffeinated). The most common reason patients have to be readmitted to the hospital after bariatric surgery is due to dehydration so make sure you stay hydrated.

Your pain level may be more noticeable today because your anesthesia from the procedure has worn off. The pain medication in your IV is still working but you are moving more and most likely feeling more discomfort.

Today you may be switched from IV administered medication to oral pain medication which takes a bit longer to kick in so ask for your medication before your pain level gets unbearable.

At some point today, your doctor will give you a complete check-up and remove your catheter if it is still in place. The surgeon ensures you can stand up and walk around a bit, and your vitals all look normal. Some patients are discharged a few hours after this check-up, and some stay in the hospital another day or two.

When you are discharged you will be provided with care instructions for your incisions and prescriptions for pain medication. Some surgeons will provide these prescriptions before the surgery so you can fill them and have them already at home.

Week 1 – Recovering At Home

For most people who have had gastric sleeve surgery, the pain after returning home is uncomfortable but bearable. Patients have reported that days 3 to 6 seem to be the most uncomfortable and this is attributed to the patient’s increased activity level and movements.

The pain will most likely be localized to the incision sites with the concentration at the site of the largest incision. If you are experiencing pain during VSG surgery recovery that is unbearable or seems out of the range listed on the discharge paperwork, are vomiting, have a fever or develop new pain along your shoulders or back, contact the surgeon right away.

• Remember to keep drinking your liquids and staying hydrated. You may not feel hungry at all but it is important that you drink.
• If you have special health concerns, make sure you are keeping up with medication that you take or check sugar levels, etc.
• You may feel exhausted this week not only because you have had major surgery but because your body is used to eating considerably more calories, and much of your energy has been redirected to the areas needing healing during your gastric sleeve recovery.
• Keep your activity limited to what is recommended by the surgeon. You do not want to overdo it and lengthen the time of your recovery or pull a stable loose from your surgery.
• Take this much-needed rest time to binge-watch movies or read that book that you have been wanting to read. Call and chat with someone you need to catch up with. Try to keep your mind busy while letting your body rest.

Weeks 2-4

From the beginning of the second week through the end of the 4th week you will become more and more active and continue to follow the diet your surgeon recommends during this time frame.

You may be feeling better and be tempted but, sticking to this diet is very important so you do not damage the staple line holding your stomach together. Deviating from your approved diet could cause leaks, which can be life-threatening or result in emergency surgery.

You will be taking short walks about 5 times a day but working out, lifting weights or any other type of exercise is off-limits until cleared by the surgeon.

Some patients return to work after the first week, while others are still too tired to perform their jobs. Keep the dialogue open with your surgeon about the best time for you to return to work. Remember that your body is recovering from major surgery and adjusting to its new food regime.

During this time, your surgeon should clear you for driving, which will probably be a welcome relief, although you may experience twinges of pain while getting in and out of your car. Most of your pain should be tolerable, without the need for prescription medication. You should not drive if you are taking anything stronger than over-the-counter medication.

Months 2 and 3 of Gastric Sleeve Recovery

• You should be feeling pretty good by now and be encouraged by the fair amount of weight you’ve already lost.
• Your energy levels should be elevating and you may feel like you have more than you did before surgery.
• You should not be experiencing any pain from the surgery at this point so if you are, you need to contact your surgeon.
• Many people also experience mood swings during this period of time which is completely normal. This is when you will really need to utilize your support systems and why they are so important.

By this point, your diet plan most likely includes soft solid food choices, which most patients appreciate. Baby food and pureed dinners get old really fast. But you have made it to this point and should feel proud!

Your surgeon may approve an increase in your activity level that includes swimming and low-impact aerobic exercise. Check to see if there is an indoor pool in your vicinity that offers water aerobics as it is an excellent option for cardio and easy on the body.

After 3-6 Months

Most patients are delighted that they have had gastric sleeve surgery by this point and have lost a considerable amount of weight. It is time to buy a few new outfits and show off all that hard work!

You have just gone through several major lifestyle changes and it is very important to consistently keep up with your support services. What you have done and continue to do is hard but the benefits you gain are worth it.

Many of the health-related issues that patients experience have been alleviated significantly or are gone.

Your diet is a bit more diverse with the addition of solid foods and you have more energy.

The surgeon has probably approved a more advanced exercise routine with longer walks and more cardio. Normally, surgeons recommend patients wait about six months before adding a weight training element to their exercise routine.