Bariatric surgery can be a life changing surgery for those who wish to lose weight and live healthier lives. But the journey doesn’t stop with surgery. It’s important to heal in the days and weeks following surgery, because the body has to adapt to the radical changes of the procedure. We’ll show you in this article what to expect following bariatric surgery — from the very first day of recovery, to the weeks following surgery, and explain some common side effects and how to cope with them.
The First Day After Surgery: Some Discomfort is Adnormal
You may feel a little weird after bariatric surgery. This is all good, your body is kicking in. A few cramps or tenderness in your stomach may be felt the day after surgery. This is the aches and pains of having half of your stomach surgically removed. Healing will happen slowly and, as you know, this is part of healing.
What it hurts might differ from one individual to another. A few patients have mild pain; some have more severe pain. That’s not unusual because the body takes time to get used to the new situation. Even though the pain is frightening, keep in mind that the shrinking of the stomach and the incisions are all surgical, and that it will take two weeks for the stomach to recover fully. The aches will pass over time as the stomach recovers and swelling or rash will begin to go away.
The Recovery Journey: Why It Doesn’t Happen Instantly?
Bariatric surgery is the same as any surgical procedure: you make an opening or alter your body. Here the stomach is sliced and its proportions are reduced. It’s a surgical operation done internally, but the body needs time to recover from it as well. Two weeks after surgery are the critical healing period and it is here that the stomach starts to become larger and work more effectively.
This is your healing time and you should not be trying to jump right back into your normal routine. You have to give your body a few weeks to recover, and going according to the doctor’s recommendations is important to avoid complications and to keep the healing going. Because bariatric surgery is internal, you may not see the swelling or the line of the cut. But your body is still readjusting and it’s perfectly fine to experience pain or discomfort while the stomach is getting better.
What to Look Forward to in the First Days and Weeks?
You can have some side effects following the first day. These include:
- Pain and Discomfort
A little soreness and pain are OK. Your stomach is different and you might be slightly swollen in the inside. This is the body’s healing. The pain medication that your doctor will probably be prescribing for this discomfort will be used. The pain will pass but it’s important to be on your doctor’s medication schedule and activity restrictions for the first few weeks. - Nausea
Nervosity is common for the first few months following bariatric surgery, when the stomach is starting to adjust to its smaller dimensions. Nausea occurs because the stomach adapts to a new function and volume. It is also caused by new foods and liquids getting into your system. And do not cut corners, just keep up the prescription, introducing fluids first, and then puréed foods, so that your gut takes a while to adapt. - Diarrhea
Other patients get diarrhoea while the stomach repairs itself and begins to shrink. The stomach is adapting to the less volume, and gastrointestinal changes can result. These are often temporary and should improve with your body adapting to the new process of eating. Drink plenty of water and eat what your doctor tells you to avoid these complications.
Why You Should Eat Slowly After Surgery – How To Prevent It?
For the first few weeks after bariatric surgery, your stomach has to adjust to your new dimensions. This is not instant, and your gut has to be adapted to this new way of handling food. Then you need to strictly eat from liquids to puréed foods. This is an slow change that restores your stomach and allows it to get used to its smaller shape.
- Liquids: Your diet after surgery will start with nothing but liquids. That means water, broths, sugar-free beverages, protein powders. Liquids are gentle on your stomach and let it repair itself without all the heaviness of eating solids.
- Scoops & Sauces: After the liquid phase, you will slowly add puréed foods. These are all digestible foods and won’t burden your recovery stomach. But follow your doctor’s diet plan so you are taking the proper nutrients at the right moment of recovery.
Mental and Emotional Adjustments
Bariatric surgery doesn’t just transform the body in physical sense but also in emotional and psychological sense. The transformation in your body and food habits can change your attitude to a great extent. Be patient with yourself during this. This will likely take some time to adjust to eating less and re-indoctrinating your body and brain to new ways of eating.
Recall that this is all part of your journey to healthy weight loss. It is not just your body that bariatric surgery transforms, it’s your relationship with food and your way of life as well.
Bottom Line: A Fresh Start to Your Health and Weight Loss Life!
Bariatric surgery is a great weight loss weapon, but recovering is a significant component of the process. It’s normal to feel a little discomfited, have nausea and diarrhoea after surgery while your stomach repairs itself and grows in its new size. These are all temporary symptoms and will get better as you adapt to your new eating routine.
The cure is patience. Your stomach will take some time to repair itself and you’ll have success if you listen to your doctor and stick to their recommendation. The bariatric surgery is a great beginning to your weight loss and health journey, albeit one that will need a bit of tweaking, but it will pay off in the end.
We at Universal Medical Group are here to help you with recovery and weight loss. And if you’re interested in bariatric surgery, we’re here to walk you through it and get you there so you can reach your health and wellness dreams.
Contact Information:
Email: info@UMGcare.com
Phone: 1-800-330-1015
