3 Ways to Prepare for Your Recovery From Weight Loss Surgery

3 Ways to Prepare for Your Recovery From Weight Loss Surgery

You have a lot to think about when you are preparing for your recovery from weight loss surgery, from the new diet that you will be following to the advice your doctor gives you for looking after your surgical wound. Don’t forget the more practical arrangements you need to make.

1. Arrange Some Time Off: You will need to take some time off work to recover from your weight loss surgery. You will usually need to spend at least one night in hospital. It will take about two to three weeks to recover fully after this, although your recovery will be a little quicker if you have had gastric band surgery. You might not need to take all this time off work, but you won’t be able to do any heavy lifting or demanding physical activities. This means that you may need to make some changes to your usual routine, at work and at home.

2. Get Some Help At Home: While you are recovering, you will probably need a little extra help around the home, particularly during the first week after your weight loss surgery. You may feel a bit sore and tired, especially as it can take up to 48 hours for the anaesthetic to wear off completely. You will need someone to pick you up from the hospital, and it is best to have someone to stay with you for the first couple of days at least. You might want to ask someone to help with tasks like childcare, housework, making meals or looking after your pets, so that you can focus on your recovery.

3. Find a Distraction: Resting after weight loss surgery can be boring, so it is a good idea to plan some distractions for yourself. Make sure that you have a good book to read, a box set to watch, or something else to keep you busy while you are recovering. The time will pass much more quickly if you have something else to think about, and having a distraction will also help once you are up and about. It is much easier to stick to a diet when you have something else to think about, so why not use your recovery time as a chance to pick up a new hobby?