If you are planning to have a gastric bypass, you probably want to know what the recovery process will be like and how long it will take. You probably wonder about how long you will be in the hospital, how long you will need to take off work, and what restrictions or limitations you will have after surgery. You should know that everyone is different, and some people recover faster than others, and some people have more pain than others. There’s no way to know for sure what it will be like for you until you get there. However, I can tell you a bit about what to expect.
Most people who have gastric bypass surgery have it done laparascopically. Instead of opening up your whole belly, the surgeon makes four or five small incisions and inserts a camera so they can see what they are doing. Recovery is usually faster and easier if you have laparascopic surgery. However, sometimes the surgery cannot be performed laparascopically. Your liver might be too fatty, or you might have scar tissue from previous abdominal surgeries. There could be other reasons an open procedure is required, as well.
Gastric bypass surgery is always performed as an inpatient procedure. Most people who have laparascopic gastric bypass spend one or two nights in the hospital. If you have an open surgery, you will probably spend more time in the hospital. If you have any problems, additional time in the hospital may be needed, as well. Possible problems might include losing a lot of blood during surgery, pain that is not well controlled, fever or signs of infection, leaks at the staple line (which would require a second surgery), difficulty taking fluids by mouth, difficulty urinating, or reactions to anesthesia or other medications.
You will of course have some pain after surgery. While you are in the hospital, you will probably receive pain medication by IV. Many patients are hooked up to patient controlled analgesia devices (PCA’s), which allow you to push a button anytime you want another dose of pain medication. Studies have shown that patients who have PCA’s actually end up using less pain medication than patients who are given pain medication around the clock, but they also report better pain relief. If your pain is severe, let your doctor know and ask for more medication or a different medication.
A few hours after surgery, they will get you out of bed and want you to walk. You will probably walk very slowly and have a hard time standing up straight. But walk all you can. Walking will help prevent blood clots. Also, most patients have a lot of gas pain after surgery, and walking is the one thing that will help the most to relieve the gas pain. It will relieve the gas pain better than morphine will!
During the first few days after your gastric bypass, you should spend your time resting, walking, and sipping. You will probably be on a liquid diet for the first week or so, and you need to get at least 64 ounces of liquid per day. This will probably seem difficult to manage at first.
When you are discharged from the hospital, your doctor will let you know what your restrictions are. Patients are usually advised not to lift more than ten pounds for four to six weeks. You should not drive as long you are taking pain medication. You should walk often, and in fact I was told I should be walking at least 30 minutes a day by 30 days after my surgery. However, you should not do any exercise more strenuous than walking until cleared by your doctor. That will usually be at four to six weeks after surgery.
You will be given a prescription for pain medication when you are discharged, but it will probably not be as strong as what you were getting in the hospital. Therefore, you might have a bit more pain the first day or two that you are at home. Continue to walk as much as you can. A heating pad might also help with gas pain. Many patients find it uncomfortable to lie down flat and sleep in a recliner chair instead of in bed for the first few days at home.
You will be able to do small tasks around the house, but will tire easily and probably will not want to be on your feet for long periods of time. For instance, washing a few dishes might be fine, but not a whole sink full. Heating some soup in the microwave will probably be fine, but not preparing dinner for the whole family. To make life easy on yourself after surgery, clean the house, do the laundry, and go grocery shopping right before your surgery. You might want to prepare some meals ahead of time that you can freeze and then just reheat, if you are responsible for feeding a family.
If you have small children, you will probably want help with them during the first week or so after surgery. And remember, you will not be able to pick them up for several weeks.
Most people report that their pain is pretty much gone after about two weeks. People may get tired easily for several weeks after surgery, though.
Most people take anywhere from two to four weeks off work when they have a gastric bypass. Some people do go back to work sooner, and some take more time. You might get bored at home, but be aware that it will be a real challenge at first just getting your liquids and your protein and your vitamins in. You will be mixing up protein shakes, and then you will be pureeing foods. It will be a lot easier to figure all those things out at home than at work.
Remember that if you have any complications, your recovery may be more difficult and may take longer. Talk to your doctor to find out how long you should expect to be in the hospital, how long you should plan to take off work, and what your restrictions will be after surgery.
Sources:
Obesity Treatment Center. http://www.theuniversityhospital.com/otc/html/theobestitytreatmentctr/faqs.htm#7. Frequently Asked Questions.
Melissa Jeffries. http://health.howstuffworks.com/gastric-bypass5.htm. How Gastric Bypass Surgery Works.
Reference:
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1939936/is_gastric_bypass_surgery_right_for.html?ca
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1498652/my_gastric_bypass_surgery.html?cat=52
- www.associatedcontent.com/article/1997230/getting_ready_for_a_gastric_bypass.html?cat
