After Weight Loss Surgery - What to Expect

When considering a surgical procedure, aftercare should be high on your list of research topics. Bariatric weight-loss surgery is certainly no different. So if you are considering such a procedure, you should educate yourself on what to expect after weight loss surgery.

In this article, we will talk about some of the things that patients face after having weight loss surgery. Please note that all patients and all surgeries have different effects. The conditions and care listed below do not apply to all but patients, but instead represent the majority of cases. In that regard, they will give you a good idea of what usually takes place after weight loss surgery.

Lifelong Changes Ahead

It’s important to realize that your life after weight loss surgery will be significantly different than it was before surgery. What does this mean? It means several things. Most obvious is the fact that your eating habits will change dramatically. Whether you undergo a gastric bypass surgery, stomach banding procedure, or some other form of weight loss surgery, the result will basically be the same — reduced stomach capacity.

A reduced stomach capacity means that overeating is out. After all, that’s the whole point of weight loss surgery. But consider the psychological ramifications of this. For many obese people, overeating becomes a part of their life. When that part of their life suddenly goes away, it can leave them with an emotional void (as well as physical one). That’s why many weight-loss surgeons recommend some type of counseling program or support group after weight loss surgery. In short, bariatric surgery is not a quick fix for obesity. It is a lifelong commitment that requires significant life changes.

Related information at WebMD

Recovery After Weight Loss Surgery

How long does it take to recover after a weight loss surgical procedure? This is another common question among those considering such a surgery. The short answer is that it depends on the type of surgery you have. For example, a gastric bypass surgery usually requires a longer recovery period than a gastric banding surgery (such as those using the popular LAP-BAND System).

Digging deeper, there’s a further distinction between types of gastric bypass surgery. Some of these surgeries are performed in laparoscopic fashion, with smaller incisions and shorter recovery times (a 2- or 3-day hospital stay, for example). But gastric bypass surgeries can also be performed in an “open” manner, which means larger incisions and a longer recovery period.

Gastric banding procedures (also known as belly bands) have become increasingly popular due to their relatively shorter recovery period. Many patients of banding surgery are able to leave the hospital after a 24-hour observation period.

Here’s the bottom line. All patients are different, and all surgeries are different. These variables affect the length of recovery after weight loss surgery, so it’s important to talk to your doctor about your potential recovery time and aftercare needs.

Related information at MedlinePlus

Your Diet After Surgery

Previously, we discussed how patients of bariatric weight-loss surgery have a reduced capacity for food consumption. The limited stomach space means you cannot eat as much. This is especially important in the days immediately following your surgery. After weight loss surgery, you will have to eat less (obviously), but you’ll also have to avoid certain foods. This is such a broad topic that we have dedicated an entire article to it (see below). We’ve also written about the need for bariatric vitamins after surgery, which is often recommended as well.

Related article: Foods and Diet After Bariatric Surgery