What Is the Timeline for Gastric Sleeve Recovery?
If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery, you may be wondering what the timeline for recovery is. This is a common question, and there is no one answer that fits everyone. Every individual recovers at a different rate, and the amount of time it takes to recover fully depends on many factors, including your age, overall health, and how well you follow your surgeon’s post-operative instructions.
In this blog post, we will discuss the typical timeline for gastric sleeve recovery so that you can have a better idea of what to expect.
Day of the surgery
The gastric sleeve surgery is typically performed as an outpatient procedure, which means that you will be able to go home the same day, or with a single overnight stay. The surgery itself takes about two hours, and you will be under general anesthesia during this time. After the surgery is completed, you will be taken to a recovery room where you will be closely monitored. Once your blood pressure, heart rate, and breathing are stable, you will often be able to go home.
Most people feel some pain and discomfort after gastric sleeve surgery. Your surgeon will prescribe pain medication to help manage this. You can also expect to have some drainage from your incisions sites as well as bruising and swelling. It is important to keep your incisions clean and dry to avoid infection. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions on how to care for your incisions.
One week after the surgery
One week after gastric sleeve surgery, you will likely have a follow-up appointment with your surgeon. At this appointment, they will check your incisions and make sure that they are healing properly. They will also discuss your progress and answer any questions that you may have. You should still be taking pain medication as needed at this point and avoiding strenuous activity. Most people feel well enough to return to work or their normal activities by this point.
Be sure you know what medicines to avoid after gastric sleeve surgery.
Two to three weeks after gastric sleeve
Two weeks after gastric sleeve surgery, you can expect most of your discomfort to have subsided. You may still have some bruising and swelling, but it should be significantly less than it was in the first week. You can begin to increase your activity level at this point, but you should still avoid strenuous activity or exercise.
Four to six weeks after the surgery
Four to six weeks after gastric sleeve surgery, you will likely be feeling back to your normal self. The majority of people are able to return to work and their normal activities by this point. You can begin to slowly increase your activity level and start a low-impact exercise routine if approved by your surgeon.
Conclusion
If you are considering gastric sleeve surgery, the timeline for recovery is an important factor to consider. The typical timeline for gastric sleeve recovery is four to six weeks, but everyone recovers at their own pace. Be sure to talk to your surgeon if you have any questions or concerns about your recovery. Thanks for reading! And if you are interested in gastric sleeve in Baltimore, don’t hesitate to reach out.