Normal Aftercare

Immediately following surgery, walking is incredibly important. Walking helps prevent blood clots, promotes circulation, and aids the recovery process by keeping your body active and mobile. At our hospital, the nurses encouraged us to walk every half an hour.

First Day: Initial Mobility

On the first day, we spent a lot of time walking along the hospital corridor. The practice where we had our surgery placed the fridge with Actimel and the water dispenser at the end of the corridor, so we had to walk about 100 metres round trip every hour or so. Initially, this could take 5-10 minutes and was quite exhausting, often requiring a short nap afterward due to the combined effects of recovering from anaesthetic and the surgery itself.

Second Day: Increased Activity

On the second day, we were encouraged to try walking up steps if we felt up to it. We were also able to take a shower, and the nurses changed the dressings on our incisions. Once we got home, we focused a lot on resting. Despite the advice to keep moving, we found ourselves sleeping over 12 hours a day for the first week, which was common among others in our support group.

Sleeping Challenges

Sleeping was challenging since we could only sleep on our backs, a position neither of us found comfortable. After about two weeks, we were able to start sleeping on our sides. We had stocked up on large wound dressings and extra paper stitches from Amazon, allowing us to shower regularly and keep our incision sites dry and clean.

Managing Discomfort

Neither of us experienced gas pains, but we saw others doing windmill arm movements while walking to help alleviate gas pain. For most, this discomfort was gone within two days. The surgery itself was not painful, and there was no significant pain from the incisions afterward. We followed the regular advice given by our healthcare providers.

James’ Aftercare

James had the same gastric sleeve surgery as Kirsten, performed right after hers by the same team. While the surgery itself went well, James experienced complications due to not following post-op advice, which highlights the importance of adhering to medical guidance.

Reaction to Anaesthetic

James reacted poorly to the anaesthetic, leading to orthostatic hypotension, where blood pressure drops rapidly upon standing, causing fainting and, in some cases, seizures. He was advised to stay in bed and call for assistance if needed. However, at around 2am, he attempted to use the bathroom alone, not wanting to wake Kirsten or the nurses.

Bathroom Incident

James fainted in the bathroom, hitting his face on the toilet and then the sink, causing a burst lip, a fractured nose, and significant bleeding. The noise woke Kirsten, who found James on the floor. The nurses were alerted and conducted emergency tests, revealing internal bleeding that required a second surgery lasting three hours.

Extended Recovery

Following this second surgery, James’ recovery time extended by about six weeks. He followed the same recovery steps as Kirsten but needed to adhere to them for longer periods. Despite this setback, James says he would do the surgery all over again, even with the same side effects, as all his health issues have resolved and he feels much better overall than before the surgery.

Additional Aftercare Information

Dietary Guidelines

• Stage 1: Clear Liquids (Days 1-3): Clear broth, water, sugar-free popsicles, and clear protein drinks. Sip slowly to prevent nausea.
• Stage 1.5: Full Liquids (Days 4-14): Protein shakes, skimmed milk, thin soups, and sugar-free pudding. Focus on high-protein liquids.
• Stage 2: Pureed Foods (Weeks 3-4): Pureed meats, vegetables, and fruits. Continue high-protein intake and avoid lumps.
• Stage 3: Soft Foods (Weeks 5-8): Soft, easy-to-chew foods like scrambled eggs, soft fruits, and cooked vegetables. Gradually increase variety.
• Stage 4: Solid Foods (After Week 8): Reintroduce solid foods gradually, focusing on lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.

Nutritional Supplements

• Multivitamins: Daily multivitamins to prevent deficiencies.
• Calcium and Vitamin D: For bone health, typically 1200-1500 mg of calcium citrate and 800-1200 IU of vitamin D.
• Iron and Vitamin B12: To prevent anaemia, based on doctor’s recommendation.

Physical Activity

• Early Ambulation: Start walking as soon as possible to prevent blood clots.
• Gradual Increase: Begin with light activities, gradually increasing intensity as tolerated.
• Long-term Exercise Plan: Incorporate regular physical activity, aiming for at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week.

Follow-Up Appointments

• Regular Check-Ups: Follow-up visits with your surgeon and dietitian to monitor progress and nutritional status.
• Blood Tests: Regular blood tests to check for nutritional deficiencies and overall health.

Behavioural Changes

• Eating Habits: Eat small, frequent meals and chew food thoroughly.
• Hydration: Drink plenty of water but avoid drinking during meals.
• Avoid Certain Foods: Steer clear of high-sugar, high-fat foods, and carbonated drinks.

Psychological Support

• Counselling: Psychological support or therapy to help adjust to lifestyle changes and address emotional eating.
• Support Groups: Joining a support group for bariatric surgery patients for shared experiences and encouragement.

Monitoring and Managing Complications

• Watch for Symptoms: Be aware of signs of complications such as infection, dehydration, or nutritional deficiencies.
• Contact Healthcare Provider: Report any unusual symptoms to your healthcare provider promptly.

For more detailed information on supplements and vitamins post-surgery, which is a crucial part of aftercare, please visit our Supplements and Vitamins page.

By sharing our experiences, we hope to provide clarity and guidance for others navigating the complexities of post-surgery recovery. Please remember, this is our personal experience and not medical advice. For medical guidance, always consult your GP.

James after the fall