When considering surgery to help you lose weight, you should have a clear understanding of what the surgery involves, including the recovery. Most individuals who move forward with weight loss surgery choose the laparoscopic gastric sleeve because it is the least invasive form of bariatric surgery.
At Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions, Dr. Okeefe Simmons performs a non-surgical procedure that offers similar results to gastric sleeve surgery. Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is an outpatient procedure that takes most people less than a week to recover, which is significantly shorter than the average gastric sleeve recovery time.
Today, we are going to talk about gastric sleeve recovery time and compare it to the average recovery time patients experience after endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG).
How Long Is Recovery From Gastric Sleeve?
The recovery time after gastric sleeve will be different for each individual and will depend on the technique used, their personal circumstances, and conditions like their starting weight, age, and the current state of their health. Most individuals recover from laparoscopic gastric sleeve surgery in about 4 to 6 weeks, and it can take 8 weeks or longer to recover from open surgery.
Gastric Sleeve Recovery Day By Day
Day 1
Right after the surgery is completed, medical professionals will be monitoring you while you wake up from the anesthesia. You will be encouraged to take short walks to help prevent blood clots and will be instructed to do breathing exercises to lower the risk of contracting pneumonia. Once you are released from the recovery area, you will stay in the hospital for anywhere from one to three days before you can go home. You will have pain medication available to you to help with any discomfort and will be encouraged to get as much rest as you can. You will be given some ice chips to help ease your thirst, but you will not be offered anything to eat or drink until the following day.
Day 2
The day after your surgery you will be allowed to consume broth, sugar-free gelatin, water, and other clear liquids. It may be challenging to do, but you need to consume enough liquid to stay adequately hydrated, and your smaller stomach will get full much faster. It is also important you continue to get up and walk around to keep your blood flowing several times a day and spend the remainder of the day resting. This second day, you may still feel some discomfort and should continue taking your pain medication so you can rest comfortably. Before you will be discharged from the hospital, you will need to pass a special test that ensures your stomach is properly sealed with no leaks along the staple line.
Days 3-4
By the third day, most people start feeling better and may no longer need pain medication. They are usually ready to go home but still need to keep walking regularly and drink at least 64 ounces of clear liquids daily, and many find it helpful to set a phone alarm as a reminder to walk and stay hydrated. Your body is working hard to heal itself after surgery, but your stomach also needs to adjust to the drastic surgical changes that have been made, so you will continue following a clear liquid diet until directed before moving on to the next stage.
Days 5-7
About a week after your gastric sleeve surgery, you will likely have a follow-up appointment to check on your recovery. You should keep increasing how much you walk each day and should continue to avoid certain activities like driving, heavy lifting, sex, climbing, etc., until you are cleared by your surgeon to resume them. Your stomach should be growing more acclimated to digestion, and you may be instructed that you can begin consuming thicker liquids like protein shakes or purees.
Days 14-21
You will begin to regain some energy during this time and can start to introduce a little more activity into your schedule but need to continue following your surgeon’s aftercare instructions carefully. You will still be concentrating on staying hydrated and resting during these few weeks, but you may also be adding new foods to your acclimation diet, like yogurt, creamy soups, and other smooth, chunk-free choices.
Weeks 3 And Beyond
You can begin to increase your activity level at this time during your gastric sleeve recovery, and if your job is not physically demanding, you might even be able to return to work. After about four weeks you can start to eat a variety of mildly seasoned, soft, pureed foods that are easy to digest. Most low-fat, sugar-free foods that can be blended are good choices, but make sure you do not use too much seasoning so you do not trigger heartburn. Getting enough protein is very important, so you should make a habit of eating your protein first and take time to eat slowly, taking small bites, because you will become full faster than you are used to and may accidentally overeat and become uncomfortable. Within the next several weeks, you should be able to work up to eating solids again.
Your surgeon will gradually begin to remove your activity restrictions, and you can start increasing your physical activity, but it is best to check with your doctor before doing anything intense.
What You Can Do To Prepare For Your Gastric Sleeve Recovery Time
After you undergo gastric sleeve surgery, you are not going to be able to keep up with your normal, routine schedule. You should not expect to be in any condition to drive a carpool a week after you have had surgery, so if you have children, pets, or other important daily tasks that cannot be temporarily suspended, you need to delegate these and arrange for some assistance. Here are some helpful tips that can help you plan for your gastric sleeve recovery.
- Plan to take about 2 to 4 weeks off from work to allow your body to properly heal;
- Have someone stay with you around the clock for at least the first week;
- Arrange for help with children and pets for at least two to three weeks;
- Pick up all your prescriptions ahead of time and stock up on your usual toiletries so you do not run out;
- If you have stairs at home, ask your surgeon if you will need to sleep in a different area for a few days;
- Set up a comfortable recovery space with pillows, blankets, water, medication, books, magazines, and anything else you might need located within your reach;
- To make things easier on you and those who are assisting during your recovery, prepare and freeze some meals in advance, catch up on laundry, lay out outfits for your kids, and leave clear instructions for pet care for the person who will be helping you.
Endoscopic Sleeve Gastroplasty Is A Non-Surgical Alternative to Gastric Sleeve Surgery
Gastric sleeve surgery involves surgically removing the majority of an individual’s stomach tissue with a scalpel and then securing the remaining edges with medical staples.
Endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) also significantly reduces the size of the person’s stomach, but instead of using incisions, the doctor uses an endoscope to gain access to the patient’s stomach. The endoscope is a flexible, tube-like medical device that is hollow and has a built-in light and camera. It allows the doctor to lower other special tools into the treatment location and also sends live video to a nearby screen, which provides a clear view for them to perform the procedure with precision.
While the patient is under light sedation, the doctor gently guides the endoscope through the mouth and down the throat until it reaches the stomach. Small instruments are passed through the hollow middle of the endoscope and used to place stitches from the inside to make the stomach much smaller. The endoscope is then removed and the patient is taken to a recovery area where they are monitored for a few hours before being released to go home. There are no incisions used, and no part of the stomach is removed, so the ESG procedure can be reversed if needed.
Gastric Sleeve Recovery Time vs ESG Recovery
Recovering after endoscopic sleeve gastroplasty (ESG) is faster, easier, and less painful than what patients experience during gastric sleeve surgery recovery. Take a look at the chart below and compare the gastric sleeve recovery vs ESG.
to see the entire table
| Gastric Sleeve | ESG | |
|---|---|---|
| How long does it take to recover? | Anywhere between 4 to 8 weeks | The average recovery time is two to three days. |
| What activity restrictions do you have after the procedure? | You have several restrictions that include activities from bathing, swimming, driving, sex, and heavy lifting, as well as more strenuous activities. | After ESG you can resume your normal activities almost immediately and are not given any significant activity restrictions. |
| Is there a special diet that needs to be followed before undergoing this procedure? | A special diet must be followed before surgery to reduce the size of the liver which can last for several weeks as well as a two-week all-liquid diet just before surgery. | ESG does not require a liver-shrinking diet and patients normally only need to follow a liquid pre-procedure diet for about 2 days. |
| Is there a post-operative diet? | Yes, and it starts with clear liquids, then adds pureed foods, then soft foods, and finally to solid foods which can span several months. | The diet progression is the same as gastric sleeve but each phase is much shorter so the transition only takes a few weeks. |
| What is the percentage of risk for complications? | 12.7% | 2.9% |
| How much total body weight does the average patient lose? | 25% | 20% |
Where Can I Learn More About ESG In Miami, Florida?
If you are frustrated with trying to lose weight on your own, Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions is here to help you reach success. Dr. Okeefe Simmons is a board-certified gastroenterologist and an expert in obesity medicine. His expertise and special blend of skills allows him to pinpoint medical conditions that may be interfering with your weight loss and create an individualized plan that fits your circumstances and needs. He can help you lose weight using non-surgical ESG as well as provide the support and knowledge you need to achieve sustainable weight loss. Most people only need a few days to heal, so they can quickly get back to their jobs, family, and daily life without missing out on wages or spending weeks in recovery.
Contact Simmons MD Advanced Weight Loss Solutions and learn more about non-surgical ESG and how it may be able to help you reach your weight loss goals. Set up your personal consultation today!
