Gastric sleeve surgery requires some lifestyle changes.
If you are concerned that your weight is affecting your overall health and non-surgical weight loss methods have proven unsuccessful, you might consider bariatric surgery. The decision to undergo weight loss surgery is a big one with many factors to consider. One of the most important considerations is the recovery process — read on to find out what you can expect and what you can do to ensure a smooth healing period.
1. Expect a hospital stay
Thanks to modern surgical techniques, it is possible for gastric sleeve surgery to be performed laparoscopically. This means that the procedure will be minimally invasive and you can expect a shorter recovery time when compared with traditional open surgery. That said, you will still need to stay in the hospital for a few days before your surgeon gives you the go-ahead to return home. During your hospital stay, your surgeon and nurses will assist you with pain management, and you may be able to walk around with some guidance from a physical therapist.
2. You might experience side-effects
As with any weight loss surgery, you might experience a few side-effects following your gastric sleeve procedure. These include constipation, which is common after any bariatric procedure; dumping syndrome, which can cause nausea and vomiting; gallstones, which can occur as the result of rapid weight loss; and wound infections, which can be painful and may require antibiotics.
3. Your diet will change
If you have already planned to undergo gastric sleeve surgery, you will know that your diet will need to change even before your procedure is performed. One of the objectives of the pre-gastric diet is to reduce the size of the liver. This diet will be calorie-controlled and will consist mainly of lean protein, vegetables and low-calorie liquids. Two days before surgery, you will need to stick to a clear, liquid diet as per your surgeon’s instructions.
Once your procedure is complete, you will need to stick to the same clear, liquid diet for the first week of your recovery. During this time, you should drink plenty of fluids to ensure that you stay hydrated. In week two of your recovery, you will switch to a full-liquid diet that includes options such as protein shakes; broths and blended soups; plain yoghurt; and fruit juices. By week three, you should be able to incorporate some soft and pureed foods into your diet — some good options include soups; scrambled eggs; and mashed fruits and veggies.
Around a month into your recovery, you can begin to add more solid foods to your diet. When you are able to eat solid foods safely, you will need to make sure that you eat plenty of nutritious foods. Try to avoid empty calories, and stick to small portions. Chat to your surgical team for guidance when it comes to your new eating plan so that you can enjoy a smooth recovery period and a healthy lifestyle in the long-term.
How can we help?
Dr Stephen Watson offers a comprehensive range of weight loss procedures, including gastric sleeve surgery. Dr Watson uses minimally invasive techniques when performing this kind of surgery, which helps to reduce recovery time.
If you are struggling with obesity and its side-effects, and have already tried non-surgical weight loss methods, you may be a suitable candidate for gastric sleeve surgery. We encourage you to come in for a consultation with Dr Watson so that he can explain your treatment options to you. He will also address any questions or concerns that you have about the surgery and recovery process.
If you would like to find out more about gastric sleeve surgery, please have a look here.
For more information about the other bariatric procedures that Dr Watson offers, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Watson, please get in touch here or give us a call on (08) 6311 7578.
