Weight Loss Surgery (Obesity Surgery) Recovery

Recovery Immediately after Wight Loss Surgery

Most weight loss patients who are often very well informed and knowledgeable about their procedures are confused about what they will feel like afterwards.  Of course this differs from patient to patient.  The first thing you will notice as you gain awareness after the general anaesthetic is some discomfort and mild pain.  It is important that you rest fully at this stage.  In some cases patients need a catheter to drain urine from their bladders.  Immediately after surgery you may still have fine tubes running out from the wound, usually to drain fluids.  You may have a tube passing through your nose to your stomach to drain air and fluid.  These tubes should be removed after a day or two.

After a day the discomfort and pain should reduce somewhat and recovery will begin.  You may have to wear special pads attached to a pump on your lower legs.  The pump inflates the pads to encourage healthy blood flow in the legs.  This will help prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT).  You will be encouraged to walk around to help blood circulation and help prevent blood clots soon after surgery.


You will be unable to eat for at least the first 24 hours.  You will only be able to sip water the first day after surgery.  Around two days after surgery an X-ray will be taken usually to check the gastric bypass is working and to check for any leaks.  You can expect to move onto puree foods around day four, this will depend on what you consultant tells you. 

The first days and weeks after surgery you will need to follow a strict diet and make some lifestyle changes.  Your dietician and surgery will guide you for the initial days and weeks and offer advice on each dietary stage.  If anything feels uncomfortable at this early stage always return to liquids. 

Problems or Complications after Weight Loss Surgery

It is also important at the early stage that you report any symptoms you have which might indicate any complications from surgery such as leakages.  You will probably be in a considerable degree of discomfort if you have a leak and you must notify your consultant immediately.

You may feel very sore around your stomach area for the first weeks, laying down may be a problem.  Many patients favour a sitting up position in a reclining chair.  Try to become as mobile as you can as soon as you can, exercise can start in the hospital! Try a few steps at first to the end of the ward and back, at first this will be difficult as you will be attached to various tubes, a urinary bag, drains, IV fluid…etc.  However do what you can, the sooner you can move around the better.  There are many benefits to walking around such as guarding against blood clots, improve your mood, helps to pass gas and will help you with your general recovery. 

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