Kirsten’s Normal Recovery

The First 24 Hours

After surgery, we stayed at the hospital for two nights.
Once we woke up, the nurses encouraged us to start walking as soon as possible. Walking every half hour wasn’t just for fitness – it helped prevent blood clots, improved circulation, and reduced shoulder pain caused by the air used during laparoscopic surgery.

The fridge with Actimel and the water dispenser was at the end of the corridor, about 100 metres away – and that became our goal. In the beginning, each round trip took 5–10 minutes and left us exhausted, often followed by a nap. Between the lingering anaesthetic and the physical fatigue, even simple movements were a real effort.

Day Two: Getting Stronger

By the second day, we were encouraged to try climbing a few steps and taking short showers. The nurses changed our dressings and reminded us to keep incisions clean and dry.

When we got back home, our bodies wanted nothing but rest.
For the first week, we slept for 12–14 hours a day – and judging by the Weight Loss Riga Facebook group, that’s completely normal. Your body is healing, adapting, and recalibrating all at once.

Sleeping and Moving

Sleeping was the hardest part for both of us. We could only lie on our backs, and neither of us is a back sleeper. After about two weeks, we could finally start sleeping on our sides again – a small victory that felt massive at the time.

We’d stocked up on large wound dressings and extra paper stitches from Amazon, which made showering much easier. It also helped us keep our incision sites clean and dry without worrying about infection.

Pain and Discomfort

We were lucky. Neither of us experienced the classic shoulder gas pain that some people get, but we did see other patients walking around doing “windmill arm” movements to ease it.
The surgery itself wasn’t painful – more of an ache or tightness around the abdomen – and it was well managed with oral medication.

Within a few days, we were walking further, sleeping better, and feeling stronger.

James’ Extended Recovery

James had his surgery right after Kirsten’s – same surgeon, same day – but his recovery took a very different turn.

Anaesthetic Reaction

Not long after surgery, James began experiencing orthostatic hypotension – a sudden drop in blood pressure whenever he stood up. It’s a rare reaction to anaesthetic and medication, and it can cause fainting without warning.

The nurses told him to stay in bed and press the call button if he needed anything. But, not wanting to disturb anyone – or wake Kirsten – he decided to make his own way to the bathroom around 2am.

The Fall

That decision changed everything.

James fainted almost instantly after standing up. He hit his face on the toilet, then the sink, splitting his lip and fracturing his nose.
The next few moments are mostly gone from his memory – but one image is burned in permanently:

“I just remember four nurses dragging me out of the bathroom, completely naked, while about seven other patients – all women – stood at the doorway wondering what on earth was going on. Then nothing. Just black.”

The nurses acted quickly, performing emergency checks and tests. It turned out James had internal bleeding, and he was rushed into theatre for an emergency operation that lasted nearly three hours.

The Blackout Period

From that point onwards, his memory becomes patchy. Between heavy medication, pain relief, and the trauma itself, James remembers very little until mid-June – weeks later.
Thankfully, he had been keeping a small diary. Even during recovery, he wrote a few lines each day – enough to piece together the experience later. Those diary notes became invaluable when building this website, helping him fill in the blanks with accuracy and honesty.

That second surgery removed additional tissue, leaving James with around 13% of his stomach. It made his long-term restriction greater than normal, and his recovery longer and more demanding.

The Long Road Back

James’s recovery ended up lasting around six months longer than Kirsten’s.
He followed all post-op instructions carefully this time – taking it slow, resting when needed, and working closely with his medical team.

“If I had to go through it again, I would. It was rough, but it fixed my health and gave me my life back. Every bit of it was worth it.”

The experience was a harsh reminder that post-surgery care is every bit as important as the operation itself – and that recovery isn’t about strength, it’s about patience and discipline.

Diet After Surgery

What you eat – and when – plays a huge part in recovery.
Your new stomach needs time to heal and adapt, which means following each stage carefully and resisting the urge to rush ahead.

Stage 1: Clear Liquids (Days 1–3)

• Clear broth, water, and sugar-free drinks.
• Sip slowly – it’s easy to overdo it early on.

Stage 1.5: Full Liquids (Days 4–14)

• Protein shakes, skimmed milk, and smooth soups.
• Focus on protein-rich liquids to support healing.

Stage 2: Puréed Foods (Weeks 3–4)

• Soft, blended foods like puréed meats, vegetables, and fruits.
• No lumps – your stomach isn’t ready for texture yet.

Stage 3: Soft Foods (Weeks 5–8)

• Soft, easy-to-chew options like scrambled eggs, soft fruit, and well-cooked vegetables.
• Gradually increase variety and listen to your body.

Stage 4: Solid Foods (After Week 8)

• Slowly reintroduce regular foods, focusing on lean proteins, vegetables, and small portions.
• Eat slowly, chew thoroughly, and stop when full.

Supplements and Nutrition

Once your diet expands, it’s vital to take the right supplements.
Your smaller stomach can’t absorb nutrients the same way it used to, so vitamin and mineral support becomes lifelong.

• Multivitamin – Daily, covering general needs.
• Calcium and Vitamin D – 1200–1500 mg calcium citrate and 800–1200 IU vitamin D.
• Iron and Vitamin B12 – To prevent anaemia; frequency depends on your blood test results.

For more detailed information, visit our Supplements & Vitamins page.

Activity and Movement

• Walk early and often: Even slow steps help circulation and recovery.
• Build gradually: Move from gentle walking to light activity over several weeks.
• Long-term: Aim for around 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week once fully healed.

Movement is medicine – and walking remains one of the simplest, most effective forms of it.

Follow-Ups and Ongoing Care

Regular check-ups are vital.
We had follow-up appointments to monitor incision healing, vitamin levels, and overall progress. Blood tests help spot nutritional deficiencies early – and adjustments can be made easily when caught in time.

Mental Health and Support

Recovery isn’t just physical – it’s emotional too.
The first few weeks can bring unexpected emotions, from excitement to sadness to fatigue. Having a support system makes all the difference.

• Counselling: Many bariatric patients find therapy helpful for body image changes and emotional eating.
• Support Groups: Whether online or in person, talking with others who’ve been there helps you stay grounded and motivated.

What We Learned from Recovery

If the surgery day was about courage, recovery was about patience.

For Kirsten, it meant trusting the process and listening to her body.
For James, it meant learning the hard way that recovery isn’t about strength – it’s about discipline.

The recovery process isn’t glamorous, but it’s powerful. Every sip, every walk, every nap is part of rebuilding your life – one day at a time.

Please Note: This content reflects our personal experiences after gastric sleeve surgery and should not replace medical advice. Always follow your surgeon and medical team’s post-operative instructions.

James after the fall