Before leaving hospital make sure you’re clear about:
- how to care for your incisions
- when and where any stiches or staples should be removed
- your level of activity, particularly heavy lifting
- driving (don’t forget to also check if your car insurance company has any restrictions following an operation)
- symptoms for which you should seek further medical attention
- any changes to your regular medication
- changes to your diet
- how soon after surgery you can have sex
- what kind of exercise you can do.
Caring for your incisions
You can start showering your wound (along with your entire body) 3 days after you surgery, unless your surgeon advises you not to. Don’t soak in a bathtub until any stitches, wound closure strips or staples are removed.
If your surgeon has asked you to change your wound dressing at home, follow their instructions and know that a small amount of drainage from the incisions is normal.
Your scars will heal in about 4–6 weeks and will become softer and continue to fade over the next year.
Managing pain
Pain is different for each person. Your surgeon or anaesthetist will prescribe you pain relief. You can use lozenges if you have soreness from the tube that was down your throat.
If you have a keyhole procedure, you may have pain in your shoulder from the gas that was put into your abdomen. Moving and walking help to decrease the gas and shoulder pain. Heat packs can also be helpful.
Restrictions on activity
While light activity, like walking, is recommended you’ll probably be advised to avoid strenuous activity or heavy lifting for 4–6 weeks after surgery.
Bodily changes
Apart from weight loss, you may notice some symptoms in the first 3–6 months as your body reacts to the change. These can include:
- body aches
- tiredness, as though you have the flu (usually only for a couple of weeks after surgery)
- feeling cold
- dry skin
- thinning hair or hair loss (this is temporary)
- changes in your mood.
If you have type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or obstructive sleep apnoea, you may find they begin to improve soon after your surgery. Check with your surgeon before taking your normal medications.
Emotional issues
Recovering from surgery and losing weight can be stressful and emotional. It’s important to have the support of family and friends. Working with a social worker, therapist or support group can help you through the ups and downs. Some surgeons also work with psychologists who can assist.
Body contouring
It usually takes between 1 and 2 years to get the full benefits of your surgery. After reaching your goal weight, you may consider having plastic surgery called body contouring, to remove excess skin from your body. You may be able to get a Medicare or health fund rebate for this but there are strict criteria for eligibility.
If this is something you want to explore, ask your doctor for a referral to a plastic surgeon who can advise you and perform the surgery.
Follow-ups
You’ll need to have frequent check-ups for several months, and regular ongoing checks. You will also need regular blood tests.
Watching out for problems
Delayed complications from weight loss surgery are unlikely but call your surgeon if you have:
- fever
- increased pain or drainage from your wound
- redness or changes in the skin around your wound
- chest pain or shortness of breath
- nausea or vomiting that lasts more than 12 hours
- pain, redness or swelling in your legs
- dark urine or no urine
- pain that’s not relieved by pain medication.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Information is provided by HCF in good faith for the convenience of members. It is not an endorsement or recommendation of any form of treatment nor is it a substitute for medical advice, and you should rely on the advice of your treating doctors in relation to all matters concerning your health. Every effort has been taken to ensure the accuracy of the information, however HCF takes no responsibility for any injury, loss, damage or other consequences of the use of this information.