Recovery After Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is just the first step to improving your health and quality of life. Adjusting to life after surgery can be confusing and challenging, but Inspira Health has the resources and support you need to be successful—in both losing the weight and keeping it off.
Recovering in the Hospital
The amount of time you spend in the hospital depends on which type of bariatric procedure you undergo, but generally speaking you will spend one to two days recovering in the hospital. During this time, Inspira’s staff will monitor your vital signs and administer pain medication as needed.
Before you are discharged from the hospital, you will receive information about nutritional supplements, dietary changes and more. Arrangements will also be made for a follow-up visit with your physician.
Recovering at Home
Once you are home from the hospital, it’s important to keep the surgical area clean and dry. Your physician will give you specific bathing instructions—like sticking to the shower for the first week instead of tub bathing. Any non-dissolving sutures will be removed during a follow-up visit.
The incision and your abdominal muscles may ache, especially during deep breathing, coughing and exertion. It is safe to take a pain reliever for soreness, as recommended by your physician. It will likely take several weeks to return to your previous stamina, and you should gradually increase your physical activity to avoid injury.
If you experience any of the following symptoms during recovery, seek medical attention immediately:
- Fever and/or chills
- Redness, swelling, bleeding or drainage from the incision site
- Increased pain around the incision site
Bariatric Surgery Follow-Up Care
Bariatric surgery requires a lifetime of support from your health care providers, friends, family and support groups. Here’s what to expect:
Appointments with Your Surgeon
You will meet with your surgeon at specific intervals after surgery: one week, one month, three months, six months and then yearly. During these appointments, your provider can monitor your progress, answer questions you may have and make recommendations for lifestyle adjustments based on your needs.
Appointments with a Dietitian
We recommended that you meet with a registered dietitian at least three months and six months after surgery, and then as often as needed for continued education and guidance. A dietitian can help you stick to your healthy eating habits long-term and make sure you’re getting the nutrients you need.
Learn more about nutrition after bariatric surgery.
Additional Post-Procedure Resources
Exercise and Fitness Education
Integrating exercise into your routine after bariatric surgery is one of the keys to success. In addition to exercise education provided during your surgery preparations, we encourage patients to participate in the Inspira Fitness Connection Physician Referred Exercise Program (PREP)—a 90-day program that incorporates your physician’s recommendations into your fitness routine with the help of a medical exercise specialist.
Support Groups
Patients who have undergone bariatric surgery tend to have better outcomes when they can share their stories with people going through similar experiences. We strongly encourage you to attend one of Inspira’s free support groups for bariatric patients.
The Loop is an online tool that allows your bariatric care team to stay in touch with you throughout your entire weight loss journey. The program sends out alerts and reminders to keep you on track with your healthy habits and gives you a way to voice concerns and ask questions about non-emergent issues. Responses on the Loop will come directly from your Bariatric Surgery Program Coordinator.
