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Recovery guide · Sleeve gastrectomy
Gastric sleeve recovery is different for each person. Most people get back to regular activities within 2 to 4 weeks, while your diet moves from clear liquids to regular food over about 7 weeks. This guide covers what to expect at each stage, with a checklist you can print.
Your surgeon’s and nutritionist’s written instructions come first over any general timeline.
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Day by day
Every recovery is different. A lot depends on your body, your lifestyle and whether any complications develop. Follow the instructions from your surgeon and care team.
| What happens | What you eat and drink | |
|---|---|---|
| Surgery day | You start short walks within a few hours of surgery (ASMBS). Your care team manages pain and nausea. | Small sips of clear liquids |
| In the hospital (2 nights) | Nurses check your vital signs and help you walk. You have three leak tests before the medical team clears you for discharge. | Clear liquids |
| At our hotel (1 night) | You rest near the hospital, then your driver takes you to the airport with your take-home medications. | Clear liquids |
| Days 1 to 7 | Walk every day, starting with 5 to 10 minutes and building to 15 minutes twice a day. Don’t lift more than 10 to 15 pounds (MedlinePlus). | Stage 1: clear liquids |
| Days 7 to 20 | Most people return to regular activities, and to a desk job, within 2 to 4 weeks (Cleveland Clinic). | Stage 2: full liquids |
| Days 21 to 35 | With your doctor’s OK, you can start an exercise program and build up slowly. | Stage 3: pureed foods |
| Days 36 to 49 | Most of your recovery from surgery is behind you. | Stage 4: soft foods |
| Day 50 on | Aim for about 30 minutes of moderate exercise a day (ASMBS). | Stage 5: regular diet, for life |
In the first six months, as your body adjusts to rapid weight loss, you may have body aches, tiredness, feeling cold, dry skin, hair thinning or mood changes. These usually don’t last (Mayo Clinic). See the full post-op diet.
Print it or check it off
Tick items off as you go, or print the checklist and keep it on your fridge. Nothing is saved or sent.
Go to the nearest emergency room if you have a fever, a fast heart rate, chest, shoulder or belly pain, trouble breathing, leg swelling or can’t keep liquids down. Then let the Renew care team know.
Getting back to normal
Activity and wound care guidance from MedlinePlus discharge instructions for laparoscopic gastric bypass, another keyhole weight-loss surgery.
When to get help
If you have any of these, go to the nearest emergency room. Then let the Renew care team know.
A temperature above 100°F (37.7°C) for more than 4 hours, or a heart rate that stays fast.
Chest, shoulder or belly pain, or pain your medicine doesn’t help.
You can’t drink your fluids, or you vomit after eating or drinking.
Swelling in a leg, shortness of breath or a cough that won’t go away.
Vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, or black stools.
More redness, pain, warmth, swelling or bleeding, or thick, bad-smelling drainage.
Read more about gastric sleeve leaks and other side effects.
After you go home
Our nutritionists help you through each diet stage and stay with you long after surgery, at no extra cost.
Reach a doctor for any issue that comes up after you leave Mexico.
Join our 15,000+ member Facebook support group to share your experience and learn from others who have had surgery.
Plan checkups every few months in the first year, then yearly visits with a bariatric specialist for life (ASMBS).
Big changes in your body can affect how you feel. Talking with family, friends, a counselor or your support group helps.
Send us your health history and our team will walk you through your stay, your diet and your aftercare. Virtual consultations are available.
5-star Google reviews. Want to talk with a past patient? Ask your coordinator.
“I was in the Tijuana location from 6/20-6/22 and had the gastric sleeve done. My surgery went well. I was especially nervous since it was my first surgery but they helped me to know exactly what was going on and answered all my questions!”
“I had a sleeve done July first. I am healing absolutely amazing and my night nurse Alex went above and beyond! I had my surgery in Tijuana!”
“I am on day 2 of my gastric sleeve surgery and the entire staff has been so kind and helpful. I definitely recommend Renew Bariatrics!”
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Most people return to regular activities within 2 to 4 weeks. Your diet moves from clear liquids to a regular diet by about day 50, and vitamins and healthy habits continue for life.
Most sleeve patients stay 3 nights: 2 nights in the hospital and 1 night at our hotel.
Most people are back at a desk job within 2 to 4 weeks. Jobs with heavy lifting take longer, so ask your surgeon. Your package includes FMLA and return-to-work forms.
You start walking on the day of surgery. With your doctor’s OK, you can start an exercise program and build up slowly. Don’t lift more than 10 to 15 pounds until you are cleared.
Not while you take narcotic pain medicine. Ask your care team when it’s safe for you.
From about day 50, after clear liquids, full liquids, pureed foods and soft foods. Your nutritionist gives you the schedule.
ASMBS advises avoiding pregnancy for 12 to 18 months after surgery. Have a birth control plan before surgery.
Hair thinning can happen in the first six months as your body adjusts to rapid weight loss. It usually doesn’t last. Tell your care team if you notice it.
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Form loading. Prefer to talk? Call (844) 736-3963, available 24/7.
No commitment. A coordinator will contact you.
