The amount of recovery time from weight loss surgery varies, depending on the type of procedure that was performed. Gastric bypass recovery time will be different from lap band recovery time, for instance, and the length of your hospital stay will also vary, as mentioned above.
After bariatric surgery, patients are required to comfortably tolerate liquids (stage 1 bariatric diet) and a soft-pureed diet (stage 2 bariatric diet) before they are discharged from the hospital. Patients will need to remain on the stage 2 bariatric diet for the first 4 weeks after surgery and after that time may introduce the stage 3 bariatric diet which consists primarily of a protein based diet with no concentrated sweets, carbohydrates, or carbonated beverages.
It is important to remember that after being discharged from the hospital following bariatric surgery, you may not be able to return to your normal daily activities for up to one to two weeks.
Most importantly, no matter which procedure they undergo, all patients are encouraged to take plenty of time to recover after bariatric surgery. Patients should not return to work until they have had enough time to heal and feel physically comfortable.
