After the procedure, our nurses and medical staff will monitor you as you begin your recovery.
You will probably begin walking again the same day. Depending on the type of surgery you receive, you may spend one or two days in the hospital recovering.
Your Diet After Surgery
You may begin a liquid diet right after surgery, and soon you’ll eat a pureed diet. Your doctor will let you know when your body is ready to eat regular foods again. You will need to drink extra fluids for a few months after surgery to make sure you don’t become dehydrated or constipated.
Keep in mind that you may have to make permanent changes to your diet after bariatric surgery, since your digestive system will function differently. You might have take a daily supplement to make sure you’re getting all the vitamins and minerals you need to stay healthy.
We’ll schedule follow-up appointments for several months as you complete your recovery. If you have any questions or concerns before your next appointment, don’t hesitate to contact your surgeon.
Long-Term Benefits of Bariatric Surgery
Many patients see significant weight loss after bariatric surgery and begin losing weight right away. When patients stick with their doctor’s recommended lifestyle changes, they may lose half—and sometimes even more—of their extra pounds within two years after surgery.
Bariatric surgery also can reduce your risk of potentially life-threatening health conditions when you achieve your weight-loss goal. If you also had other medical problems related to obesity, you may notice those issues are improved after surgery. These pre-existing health problems can include:
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Heart disease and stroke
- High blood pressure
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
- Osteoarthritis
Potential Complications After Surgery
Surgery of any kind comes with the risk of complications. These complications include bleeding, infection, anesthesia reaction and blood clots. Some of the potential complications related to bariatric surgery also include:
- Abdominal cramps
- Acid reflux
- Gastrointestinal blockage
- Hernias
- Leaking from the stomach or small intestine
- Malnutrition
- Stomach perforation
- Vomiting or diarrhea
There is a possibility that bariatric surgery does not help you lose as much weight as you had expected. This could be a result of not following your surgeon’s advice about lifestyle changes. In other cases, it could result from a complication of your surgery.
It’s important to attend all follow-up appointments, and be sure to tell your surgeon if you aren’t losing weight or if you develop any symptoms.
Our Exceptional Surgeons and Support Services
Our board-certified, fellowship-trained bariatric surgeons have performed thousands of weight-loss surgeries, so you know you’re in good hands at University Health. We accept many patients from all over South Texas who have conditions or medical needs that smaller hospitals are unprepared to handle.
We offer all the support services you may need after surgery—nutritionists, radiologists, endocrinologists and other subspecialists. We are equipped to meet all your health needs.
University Hospital has dedicated an entire floor to bariatric post-operative care, offering coordinated care with nurses focusing entirely on your individual needs. University Health holds the prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center, which is the gold standard in nursing care in the United States.
Because we’re an academic medical center partnering with UT Health San Antonio, our bariatric surgery faculty members are at the forefront of the most current medical research, best practices and innovative weight-loss solutions.