Surgical Treatment of Obesity

Recovering from Surgery: When Will I Be Functional Again?

The First Week
If you live alone, you should plan to stay with other family or friends or have them stay with you for at least one week. If you are married, your spouse or some other person should plan to be home with you for your first week. This person is needed not only to help with your care but also with activities of daily living. It takes at least that time to become mobile and pain-free.
Weeks 2-4
You should not schedule any extra activities for the first 2 weeks after discharge (babysitting, going to a party, having people over) as it will take at least 2-4 weeks for you to begin to regain your strength. Don't forget, not only have you had an operation, but you are also on a starvation diet! It is normal to be tired and patients usually find themselves taking naps during the first few weeks.
After 6-8 Weeks
By 6-8 weeks you will be ready to return to work and a full daily workload. If you return to a job outside your home, a gradual resumption of your workload over 2-3 weeks is ideal. If you can avoid heavy lifting you should do so for an additional 4-6 weeks.