How Long After Gastric Sleeve Can I Have Sex?

Gastric sleeve surgery is a weight loss procedure that involves removing a portion of the stomach. This results in a smaller stomach, meaning you will feel full more quickly after eating and eat less overall. Gastric sleeve surgery is usually performed as a laparoscopic surgery, which is minimally invasive.

Gastric sleeve surgery is a severe operation, and it is essential to follow your surgeon’s instructions for post-operative care. For example, taking the proper medications and over-the-counter painkillers is essential for pain relief.

Read more: What Medication to Take and What to Avoid After Gastric Sleeve Surgery?

One of the most common questions after gastric sleeve surgery is how long they should wait to have sex. Many factors will affect how soon you can have sex after gastric sleeve surgery.

1) Your Level of Pain and Discomfort

After any surgery, you will likely experience some pain and discomfort. This is normal and is to be expected. However, everyone experiences pain differently, so you must talk to your doctor about what you can expect. For some people, the pain and discomfort after gastric sleeve surgery might be mild enough to feel up to having sex within a week or two. For others, the pain might be more severe and last several weeks. It is essential to listen to your body and only have sex when you feel up to it.              

2) The Extent of Your Surgical Incisions

Gastric sleeve surgery requires making incisions in your stomach. In most cases, these incisions are minor and result in minimal scarring. However, everyone heals differently, so it is essential to ask your surgeon how your incisions are healing and when it would be safe to have sex without causing further damage.  

3) Your Energy Level

After any major surgery, it is common to feel tired and depleted for several weeks. This is because your body works hard to heal the incisions made during surgery. As a result, you might not feel up to having sex until at least four to six weeks after your gastric sleeve surgery.

4) Whether or Not You Have Any Complications   

While complications from gastric sleeve surgery are relatively rare, they can happen. If you develop any complications, such as an infection or hernia, it is essential to wait until they have been treated before having sex again. This could mean waiting several weeks or even longer before engaging in sexual activity. A hernia occurs when an internal organ protrudes through the wall of muscle or tissue that usually contains it. Most hernias happen within the abdominal cavity, between the chest and the hips.

Are Some Positions Better Than Others?

Certain positions like missionary will strain your abdomen and may sometimes cause the stitches to tear up. Hence, choosing positions that do not apply pressure on the stomach is best.

Skin sagging and body changes will make you feel insecure about having sex. Feeling comfortable in your skin and playing around for a while is essential.

Overall, there is no one-size-fits-all answer regarding how long you should wait before having sex after gastric sleeve surgery. The best thing you can do is listen to your body and talk to your surgeon about when it would be safe to resume sexual activity based on your situation.

Ascension Saint Agnes Hospital is the best place for gastric sleeve surgery in Maryland. Our doctors will help you in your weight loss journey effectively.