Most people asking this question are either nervous about being in hospital too long or nervous about going home too soon. Both are understandable. Here is what you can realistically expect in terms of your hospital stay and what needs to happen before you are discharged.
Typical Hospital Stay
Most uncomplicated gastric sleeve procedures result in a one to two night hospital stay. Day surgery, where you go home the same day, is sometimes offered at certain clinics for very straightforward cases, but this is not the norm. The majority of patients will spend one night in hospital, sometimes two, before being discharged.
James had his surgery at Weight Loss Riga in Latvia and stayed for two nights before flying home. The surgical team there were clear about what needed to happen before discharge and there was no pressure to leave before he was ready.
What Needs to Happen Before You Leave
Before your surgical team will discharge you, they want to see several things. You need to be tolerating fluids without significant pain or distress. Your vital signs need to be stable. Your pain should be manageable on oral medication rather than intravenous drugs. You should be mobile enough to move around safely. And any post-operative concerns such as nausea, fever, or unusual pain need to be assessed and ruled out.
You will also receive discharge instructions covering what to eat and drink, medications to take, warning signs to look out for, and when to follow up with your surgical team or GP.
Going Home After Surgery Abroad
If you have had surgery abroad, as we did, the discharge process also involves planning your journey home. Most surgeons recommend waiting at least two days before flying after laparoscopic surgery, partly because of the gas used during the procedure and partly because air travel increases the risk of deep vein thrombosis. Your surgical team will advise you on when it is safe to travel.
We had a relatively short flight back from Latvia and James was uncomfortable but manageable. Having compression stockings, staying hydrated with small sips, and moving around periodically on the plane are all sensible precautions.
What to Expect When You Arrive Home
The first few days at home are about rest and fluids. You will be on a liquid diet initially and moving slowly. Most people find the first week at home harder than expected in terms of fatigue, because the adrenaline of surgery has worn off and your body is putting everything into healing.
Have someone with you at home for at least the first few days. You should not be driving, lifting anything heavy, or trying to carry on as normal. Sleep when you need to. Keep sipping fluids consistently throughout the day.
When to Seek Help
You should contact your surgical team or go to A&E if you develop a high fever, severe abdominal pain, vomiting that prevents you from keeping any fluids down, swelling or redness around your wounds, chest pain or difficulty breathing, or if anything just feels seriously wrong. Trust your instincts. A leak or infection caught early is far easier to manage than one that has been left.
Going home is a good thing. It means surgery went well and you are on the path to recovery. Take it easy and let your body heal.
We are not medical professionals. Everything we share is based on our own personal experience. Please speak to your bariatric team or GP before making any decisions about your health.
About this content
This blog is written by James and Kirsten, a couple from the UK who had gastric sleeve surgery together in March 2024.
We started this blog because we couldn't find any sources of content that details before surgery, the surgery and then life post surgery - so we decided to write one ourselves.
Everything on this site is based on our own experience and the research we have done along the way. It is not medical advice. Gastric sleeve surgery is a serious procedure and every patient's journey is different. Please always consult your own bariatric team or GP before making any decisions about your health or treatment.
Some posts on this site may contain featured or sponsored content, or affiliate links. Where this is the case, it will always be clearly stated at the top of the article. Our opinions are always our own.
Publish Date: 6 July 2026 | Last Reviewed: 6 July 2026 | Next Planned Review: 6 January 2028