Surviving The First Week After Weight Loss Surgery

The first week after weight loss surgery is very exciting. It will feel really great knowing the surgery is done and you are now on the path towards a healthier you. I remember the minute I woke up from the anesthesia I had a huge smile on my face. I was so ready for this new life. As exciting as the first week after surgery is, there are still challenges that you need to be prepared for. Here are a few tips to help you survive the first week after surgery.

1.   Walk as much as possible. After surgery it is critical for you to watch out for blood clots. Getting up and walking around can help with preventing them. Walking also helps get the gas out that you feel in your chest. It might be hard for you at first, but walking is so helpful in your healing process. Bring comfortable shoes with you to the hospital and get up and move the minute your doctor clears you.
2.   Sip slowly. This will be the first time you have to take little baby sips. It will feel really strange at first and it might be a little painful. Even the smallest amount of liquid can hurt at first. Be patient and give your body time to adjust to your new stomach. Sip sip sip! Don’t try to drink more than you should. Keep track of how much you are drinking at a time and work with your medical team on making sure you get the proper amount of hydration.
3.   Prepare for nausea. Your anatomy has just changed and it will shock your system at first. Nausea is something many patients deal with in the early days post-op. It is important that you communicate these things to your doctor so they can help alleviate the discomfort and make sure you are still healing correctly.
4.   Relax your mind. The first week is very chaotic as you get used to your new lifestyle. It can emotionally be draining for a number of reasons. I believe the emotional side of this journey is one of the most challenging parts of the surgery. The first week will be hard for you because you will more than likely miss food. I had to remove myself from any situation where there was food involved. It was just too hard for me to be around it. I encourage you to focus on relaxing your mind as much as possible during this stage. This will help ensure you are the most emotionally prepared for what is to come.
5.   Follow your surgeon’s orders. Above anything else, always follow what your surgeon advises. Everyone has different experiences with going through weight loss surgery so it is important that you don’t just assume your journey will be the same as someone else’s. If you are unsure about something related to the surgery, talk to your surgeon so you can feel more at ease.

The first week after surgery can be challenging, but it is worth it. You will get used to your new way of life and things will become easier as you get farther out. Use this opportunity to focus on yourself. Stay busy and find new hobbies to distract your “head hunger.” You will get through this first week. Just keep reminding yourself why you chose to have this surgery and push through any negative feelings. You got this!