What Is the Recovery Time for Gastric Surgery?

Gastric surgery, often called a gastric bypass, helps obese people lose weight by making the stomach pouch extremely small. This surgery takes a considerable amount of recovery time, even when complications are absent. According to the Mayo Clinic, the total recovery time lasts anywhere from six months to two years, depending on the patient.

Stomach Staples Healing

• On average, it takes three days for stomach staples to heal sufficiently for you to begin a liquid diet.

General Recovery

• Following gastric bypass surgery, you can expect to remain in the hospital for at least three days. However, if you experience any complications, your stay will be longer.

Drainage Tube

• As your stomach heals, you will have a small tube coming from your bypassed stomach pouch to the outside of your abdomen, which will remain in place for four to six weeks before being removed.

Dietary Recovery

• For the first 12 weeks following your surgery, you will have to work your way slowly from a liquid diet to a regular diet.

Recovery

• Minor symptoms of recovery, such as fatigue and dry skin, can last up to six months. Diabetes and high blood pressure may dissipate within two years.