Life After Surgery

Almost immediately after your surgery, you will begin to see changes taking place with your body.

And within six months, you may not even recognize yourself! You will be enjoying activities you never thought you would be able to participate in.

However, the overall outcome and effectiveness of your surgery is up to you. You must follow post-surgery instructions about diet, exercise, birth control, and other issues if you are to receive the full benefits of bariatric surgery.

Your diet will consist of mainly liquids for the first week or so after surgery. After this period, your doctor will give you a strict diet to follow. Deviating from this prescribed diet can have negative consequences. Remember, your stomach has been reduced dramatically to just an ounce or two. You will eventually return to eating foods you enjoy now, but your meals will always be significantly smaller than they were before.

You can likely return to work a week or so after your surgery. Your surgical incisions will continue to be tender and you should avoid strenuous exercise until your doctor give tells you it is okay. You will have an exercise routine prescribed for you. This will likely include gentle walking and other exercises as you gradually improve your fitness level. You may be able to return to your workout routine within two weeks.

Women of child-bearing age should take every precaution to avoid becoming pregnant during the first 18 – 24 months after surgery. The bariatric surgery procedure, especially gastric bypass, is major surgery. Becoming pregnant during this period can place tremendous stress on your internal organs and the baby.

In the days, weeks, and months after your surgery, you will return to visit your doctor for extensive follow-up care and monitoring. After the first year, you will be required to return for one annual visit for the remainder of your life. We offer support groups and you may find that you develop some very close friendships that last well beyond you recovery!