What is the downtime after a Gastric Sleeve procedure?

[roomsbylisa 0]

Hey guys,

I am wondering what the typical downtime after a Gastric Sleeve procedure is? How much work do you have to take off and how long does the pain last?

[alexsisv 139]

I took 2 weeks off and felt ready to go back at the 2 week mark. I work a desk job. The incisions felt fine about 4 days later. For me, the sleeve pain was more of a discomfort and learning to eat smaller. That part was a good 6 weeks. Just my experience.

[YourFriendJess 34]

I didn't have any pain post op....just sore. I did take the pain med at night as I sleep on my sides...... just allowed me to feel more comfortable. I took that for four nights total.

I am an RN and the coordinator at my surgeons office recommended that I took off three weeks. I had plenty of ETO so I took off the three weeks.

I probably could have gone back sooner, but was glad for the break! At post op day 5, I really felt like I was back to my old self.

I have read where some people that have desk jobs go back just days after the surgery. If you are able, I would take off at least a week so that you can adjust to the diet and meeting you daily requirements.

I noticed you are in AL....what part and who is doing your surgery? I am in Montevallo and Dr. DeWitt did mine.

Hope this has helped!

Jessica

[bruni 38]

I have a desk job...

i had my surgery on tuesday, released from hospital thursday around noon

worked from home the entire next week because i could. i could have gone back to the office but the biggest issue was just getting into a routine with the new way of eating.

i went back the next week (this week) and have been fine

[Pac-woman 325]

Well I must be greedy.

The pain subsided on the 7th day with discomfort. The dietician said 2 wks is good. I was thinking more like 3 wks. Well i took 4 weeks. Two to recover from the surgery, pain, avoid a hernia. The other two I used to practice on my eating since it is hard to figure what you like and what you can eat and drink Water constantly and work on my walking/exercise. Went back ont he 5th week, willing, full of energy, and my big lunch bag full of eats.

It worked out great for me.

[alexsisv 139]

Also, keep in mind your energy level might be low right after surgery.... Your body went thru major surgery and metobolically you've changed the game. It was nice having the time off to rest, reflect and regroup.

[Kindle 8,667]

I had almost no downtime and no pain. I was shopping day after surgery, traveling/flying day 3, drove myself home from airport 5 hours day 4, plowing driveway and caring for horses, dogs and cats day 5, more shopping, haircut and nails done day 6, back to work as a vet tech with lots of standing, squatting, bending, lifting, etc day 7. I was tired in the evenings, but barely even felt like I had surgery. The biggest challenge was getting in all my fluids and Protein while working all day.....started sipping from the moment I woke up until the moment I went to bed.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Kindle

[Pac-woman 325]

Holy cow, you are one tough lady. Glad you didn't develop a hernia through the area where they take out the stomach. This is why physicians usually want you to rest, to make sure one doesn't get a hernia. I wasn't cleared to do weights at the gym till 7wks later.

Edited February 28, 2015 by Pac-woman

[BLERDgirl 6,417]

Hey guys,

I am wondering what the typical downtime after a Gastric Sleeve procedure is? How much work do you have to take off and how long does the pain last?

It varies greatly. I didn't have any pain. I was pretty functional about 3 - 4 days post-op but found I tired easily for a good week post op. I'm retired but after a week of taking it easy at home I was bored silly and ready to get out of the house beyond my daily walks.

[Kindle 8,667]

Holy cow, you are one tough lady. Glad you didn't develop a hernia through the area where they take out the stomach. This is why physicians usually want you to rest, to make sure one doesn't get a hernia. I wasn't cleared to do weights at the gym till 7wks later.

I had a lifting restriction of 20 pounds for 3 weeks. I just had to adjust how I fed the horses and we didn't schedule any equine appointments or large dog surgeries until after those 3 weeks. I felt great and never had any issues. Like BLERDgirl, I would have been bored silly to stay home any longer than I did. (Well, maybe an extra week of healing in the tropics would have been nice ????)

[Dimka 4]

I had my surgery on Feb 14 , left the hospital on Feb 15 and back to work on Feb 23. One week is good enough if you were lucky and didn't have any complications. I didn't use pain meds after leaving the hospital since it was all liquid i hated it.

[Pac-woman 325]

I had a lifting restriction of 20 pounds for 3 weeks. I just had to adjust how I fed the horses and we didn't schedule any equine appointments or large dog surgeries until after those 3 weeks. I felt great and never had any issues. Like BLERDgirl, I would have been bored silly to stay home any longer than I did. (Well, maybe an extra week of healing in the tropics would have been nice ????)

True. Well, I am in Florida.

[kcdavidson42 10]

I was sleeved on 2/23 and went back to work on 2/27. I'm an attorney and I don't have a physically demanding job. For the most part I just take Tylenol for the pain. I've only experienced pain in my largest incision but for the most part things have been smooth sailing.

[sallyomalley67 77]

I had vertical gastric sleeve on fri 2/27 and started my desk job working from home on Wed. 3/4. Not much pain. Tender at late evening. Im a side sleeper as well and pillows become your friend for comfortable sleep ☺

[giggleblue 64]

desk job. surgery on monday and going back to work on monday, so i took off a week.