How To Recover After Weight Loss Surgery
This is a collaborative post.
Weight loss surgery can mean a new lease on life and a happier, healthier future. However, it is not a ‘get slim quick’ solution. The process of recovery after weight loss surgery can be a painful and slow one.
Making sure you do everything right is important for a quicker and more enjoyable recovery. Check out our advice below that will help you heal in good time and feel good about yourself along the way.
Load Up On Vitamins
The size of your new stomach will take some getting used to during recovery after weight loss surgery. While you’re learning to adjust, you will likely lose the vital vitamins and minerals your body needs to be healthy and aid your recovery.
Adding supplements to your regimen will offer you the good things you need without filling up your stomach too much. Try vitamins that have been specially formulated for recovery after weight loss surgery, like these bariatric vitamins without iron.
Take Care Of Your Wounds
Whether you’ve had a band, sleeve, or bypass, you’ll have a wound from the surgery.
Make sure you keep an eye on it and regularly change the dressings as instructed by your surgeon and nurses. Only touch the area with clean, washed hands and use sterile dressings.
Your stitches will likely be dissolvable, so you may not have to return to the doctor’s to have them removed. So, make sure to check that you’re happy with how the wound looks, and call your doctor immediately if you notice any weeping or pus during recovery after weight loss surgery.
Get Active (Gently!)
Keeping your body moving will promote blood circulation, which is vital for a good recovery. Avoid anything too strenuous and opt for short, gentle walks each day instead.
Build up your distance bit by bit, and be sure to move your body position when resting in bed. Avoid any heavy lifting until 6-8 weeks post-op, as you don’t want to do anything damaging to your stitches or recovery.
Drink Water
Hydration should be at the top of everyone’s priority list, but even more so if you’ve just had major surgery.
Avoid drinking around meal times as it will fill you up and you won’t be able to consume the precious calories and nutrients you need.
Instead, sip around 2 litres of water a day between meals to maintain a healthy level of hydration during recovery after weight loss surgery.
Consider Therapy
Your emotions and mental well-being will probably be all over the place. Don’t worry, it is normal to feel a little off-kilter after life-changing surgery.
It may be a good idea to speak to a professional about your thoughts and feelings, and they will be able to help you come to terms with your new life and future.
If you’d rather deal with your feelings on your own, consider trying journaling or meditation. You can even combine the latter with some gentle yoga to boost your activity levels.
Have you experienced weight-loss surgery? What did you do to help your recovery after weight loss surgery? Share your tips and experiences in the comments for other readers.
