How Long Does It Take To Recover From Gastric Bypass Surgery?

After laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, the hospital stay is usually 3-4 days. Patients who have undergone open surgery are discharged from the clinic after about a week. Patients suffering from any other comorbidities that may complicate the course of the postoperative period may be left in the hospital for a longer period of time. After discharge, you should not go home unaccompanied and drive a car on your own.

Exercises during laparoscopy recovery time

Gastric bypass is inherently an operation that does not affect the physical capabilities of the body. On the contrary, after weight loss, physical activity and exercise capacity can and should increase. However, there are certain limitations during the laparoscopy recovery time. For example, you must stay in bed during the first day after surgery. At the same time, it is necessary to activate as early as possible under the supervision of medical staff. Two months after gastric bypass surgery, you should already walk at least three kilometers while walking.

For people who have joint problems (arthritis or arthrosis), swimming is an alternative physical activity, but only with the permission of a doctor. Swimming is usually allowed 6 to 8 weeks after obesity surgery. Other types of physical activity, such as cycling or aerobics, may also be allowed. Therapeutic exercise will help you quickly overcome the recovery period after surgery and return to your normal lifestyle. You should discuss with your doctor the plan of therapeutic exercise, as well as the type of physical activity that is most preferable for you in the future.

Limitation of physical activity after obese surgery

Other types of physical activity, not listed above, are unacceptable until your body is fully restored. This recommendation must be followed to avoid complications.

Inadmissible types of physical activity during the rehabilitation period:

• lifting weights over 10kg including bags, children and pets
• housework (cleaning related to furniture rearrangement and heavy lifting)

Open gastric bypass surgery

Sometimes, in about 1 percent of cases, during the operation it may be necessary to switch from laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery to open (with an incision). In addition, a vertical incision is made from the sternum to the middle of the abdomen, ending slightly above the navel. At the end of the operation, this incision will also have sutures, which must be kept dry and clean to prevent possible infection. Do not use any ointments or solutions without your doctor’s advice.

Work during laparoscopy recovery

If you have no problems, you can return to work two weeks after your laparoscopic gastric bypass. If your work involves heavy physical activity, you should refrain from such activity for 2 months.

Pregnancy after gastric bypass

Often infertility is a concomitant disease with obesity. Many overweight women have menstrual irregularities (irregular menstruation, bleeding). Often, after treatment using a surgical method (which is obese surgery), menstrual dysfunction is also corrected. But because women need to consume more calories during pregnancy, we recommend that women delay pregnancy for 1-2 years after obese surgery in order to first reduce and stabilize weight. Patients should discuss this issue with their doctor (contact your family doctor or obstetrician-gynecologist at the antenatal clinic). Many women who followed our recommendations and first lost weight and then became pregnant now have healthy children.

Menstrual dysfunction

Occasionally, during laparoscopy recovery time after gastric bypass surgery, menstrual irregularities may occur. Sometimes periods can occur 2 weeks after the date of the last menstruation. This is not a sign of a complication. After the operation, hormonal changes occur. 1-2 months after the operation, the regularity of the cycle will be restored. If bleeding occurs, you should contact our clinic or your gynecologist.

Changes in the psycho-emotional sphere

Not all patients experience emotional ups and downs, but if they appear, you should not be afraid, since these sensations are typical for the postoperative period and will disappear after a while.

Essential vitamins and minerals after gastric bypass surgery

If you have undergone gastric bypass surgery, the absorption of vitamins and minerals will change compared to preoperative levels. At the same time, vitamins and minerals are essential for the body.

It is best to take Multivitamins, the choice of which is quite wide. You need to make sure that the composition of the drugs offered to you includes B vitamins (especially vitamin B12)

Calcium – can be taken alone or as part of a multivitamin

Iron – Iron supplements are always taken alone, but are only needed for menstruating women.

You will have to take these vitamins for life if you have gastric bypass surgery! In order to avoid nausea, vitamins should be taken on an empty stomach, especially iron supplements. If nausea does occur after taking iron supplements, then you should take slow-release iron supplements (called retard formulations).

Do not take calcium and iron supplements together; the interval between taking these drugs should be four hours. Since calcium can bind to iron, as a result of which the absorption of iron worsens.

Vitamins should also not be taken with tea, coffee, or cola.

Rules for a successful start to a new life after obese surgery

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery is a tool in your hands on your weight loss journey.

Previous studies have shown that gastric bypass as a treatment method promotes long-term weight loss, but it is only a tool to achieve this goal. If you follow our instructions, you will achieve weight loss and keep it for the rest of your life.

Get Free Medical Consultation for Gastric Bypass Surgery in Antalya.