Diet and life after weight loss surgery

Your recovery will depend on several factors, including what type of weight loss procedure you have. Some patients can go home the same day, while others need to stay in the hospital for up to three days after surgery. Patients typically return to work three days to two weeks depending on your surgery and how you feel. You can expect to start resuming your normal activities and make a full recovery within one to six weeks.

Immediately after your surgery, your surgeon and bariatric team will closely watch your recovery and will manage any issues after surgery, including your pain. After surgery, you may experience periods of nausea and receive anti-nausea medications. You will be on a drinking schedule to keep you hydrated. We'll ask you to sit up in your hospital bed, dangle your feet to the floor and eventually stand and walk. If you are properly hydrated and taking in nutrients, you may be able to return home after one or two days.

Every patient is different, and your recovery time may be different. Speak with your care team if you have any concerns or questions.

Immediately after surgery and in the following weeks, we'll put you on a dietary and hydration protocol. You'll likely be on a liquid diet for up to a week, followed by the introduction of soft, mushy foods. You'll probably start including solid foods within six weeks.

The most important part of your new lifestyle will be maintaining your hydration by drinking lots of fluids. You may need to drink up to 64 ounces or more per day. If there are any issues, your care team may recommend you visit one of our infusion centers to get help.

Getting the right amount of protein per day — 60 to 80 grams — is important for the best recovery after your bariatric surgery. Protein is key in maintaining your lean body mass and keeping your metabolism activated. Your provider may also recommend that you take a daily vitamin or supplements. Our care team will help you understand what diet and medication needs you may need, including the use of:

• Calcium
• Iron
• Multivitamins
• Vitamin B12
• Vitamins A, D, E and K

Check out all of our nutrition classes for helpful information from our registered dietitian nutritionist.

Excess body weight may have made movement and exercise challenging for you in the past. After your weight loss procedure, you may find you have more energy and mobility for activities, including exercise.

Your care team will help you harness that new energy to help you lead a more active life. We recommend taking daily walks, even after surgery, to help speed up your recovery, accelerate weight loss and kick off new health habits. Adding activity is helpful in maintaining weight loss and improving emotional and physical health.

If you’re wondering how life after bariatric surgery could be and need insight from others, there are support groups available to help you. Whether it’s virtual or a weekly visit to a meeting place, these groups are guided by professionals and designed to educate you about your new body and new life. You’ll be taught about reinforcements to make to your new lifestyle and be reminded to focus on good habits in bolstering your weight-loss success. Most importantly, you’ll be surrounded by individuals who have made the same brave decision that you did and are going through the same experience.

Support groups often structure their sessions with helpful topics to discuss as a group with the end goal of empowering you with information so that you can achieve your weight-loss goals in the healthiest, most sustainable way possible.

Learn more about the support groups facilitated by our practice.

One of the changes you may discover after your surgery is in how your friends and family may relate to you. As you physically change and see dramatic changes in your appearance, people may treat you differently.

For example, research has shown that people who are single and have had weight-loss surgery increase their ability to find a partner, a relationship and marriage. Boosted self-esteem and sociability may make them more attractive to potential partners. However, there can also be a downside: Your new weight loss and lifestyle could put a strain on your current relationships as you change both physically and emotionally, especially if your friends, family members and other loved ones were not supportive of your weight loss goals or procedure.

Explore our patient stories to gain insights from people who have experienced issues and concerns like yours.