What can I expect after gastric bypass?
Knowing what to expect can help make your road to recovery after gastric bypass surgery as smooth as possible.
How long will it take to recover?
You will stay in the recovery room after surgery until you are alert, breathing effectively, and all vital signs are stable. You may have a sore throat if a tube was placed in your windpipe during surgery. This is usually temporary, but tell your care team if you are uncomfortable.
You may have a tube that was passed through your nose into your stomach during surgery. This tube will be used to keep your stomach empty. Your surgeon will remove the tube when your stomach has recovered enough from the effects of surgery to work properly. The tube is generally taken out within 24 hours.
You will stay in the hospital three to five days. Full recovery is a gradual process. Recovery times vary depending on the procedure, your general health, age, and other factors. Full recovery takes four to six weeks.
Will I feel pain?
Pain control is important for healing and a smooth recovery. There will be discomfort after your surgery. Your surgeon will treat your pain so you are comfortable and can get the rest you need. Call your doctor if your pain gets worse or changes in any way because it may be a sign of a complication.
You will likely have narcotics for the pain. Narcotics will make you feel drowsy. You should not drive while taking this medication.
When should I call my doctor?
It is important to keep your follow-up appointments after gastric bypass. Contact your doctor for questions and concerns between appointments. Call your surgeon right away or seek immediate medical care if you have:
Breathing problems, such as shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, labored breathing, or wheezing
Change in alertness, such as passing out, unresponsiveness, or confusion
Chest pain, chest tightness, chest pressure, or palpitations
Fever. A low-grade fever (lower than 101 degrees Fahrenheit) is common for a couple of days after surgery and not necessarily a sign of a surgical infection. However, you should follow your doctor's specific instructions about when to call for a fever.
Inability to urinate or have a bowel movement
Leg pain, redness or swelling, especially in the calf, which may indicate a blood clot
Nausea and vomiting
Pain that is not controlled by your pain medication or severe abdominal pain
Uncontrolled or heavy bleeding (hemorrhage)
Unexpected drainage, pus, redness or swelling of your incision
How might gastric bypass affect my everyday life?
Gastric bypass is not a quick or easy fix for obesity. It is only one part of a complete obesity treatment plan. A complete plan includes a lifelong commitment to healthy dietary and exercise habits, vitamin supplementation, and regular follow-up care.
Gastric bypass generally helps people to successfully lose weight, but there are risks. Risk include vitamin and mineral deficiencies that require ongoing supplementation. Left untreated, vitamin and mineral deficiencies can lead to long-term complications, such as osteoporosis and anemia.
Your diet will change drastically after gastric bypass. Your surgeon will give you specific instructions about your diet and activity restrictions. Diets after gastric bypass generally start with very small amounts of liquids and then progress to small amounts of pureed and soft foods. You will slowly transition to solid foods about 10 to 12 weeks after surgery.
Gastric bypass can also cause other significant changes that may affect your everyday life including:
Change of body image
Changes in social, work and family relationships. As you lose weight, you will probably have an increase in energy and ability to participate in everyday activities, sports, exercise, social activities, and work.
Chronic diarrhea may occur in some cases
Decreased risk of heart disease and its complications
Improved quality of life
Improvement or resolution of many diseases and conditions. These include migraines, depression, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovarian syndrome, venous stasis disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), hypertension, stress urinary incontinence, gout, and high cholesterol.
Decreased need for medications that treat chronic conditions related to obesity. You will need to see your primary care provider regularly to adjust your medications.
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Medical References
- Bariatric Surgery. The Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/303/6/576.full.pdf.
- Bariatric Surgery - Following Doctor's Orders Results In 35% More Weight Loss. Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/111681.php.
- Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases (NIDDK). http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm.
- Benefits of Bariatric Surgery. American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/patients/benefits.htm.
- Pile, JC. Evaluating postoperative fever: A focused approach. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2006;73 (Suppl 1):S62. http://ccjm.org/content/73/Suppl_1/S62.full.pdf.
- Poirier P, et al. Bariatric Surgery and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011; 123: 1683-1701. Weight Loss Surgery. DukeHealth.org. http://www.dukehealth.org/services/weight_loss_surgery/care_guides/bariatric_surgery_diet_manual/the....
