You may be eager to get back to your normal level of activity after surgery, but it is important that you give your body time to heal by following your healthcare team’s recovery plan.

While recovery time varies from patient to patient, full recovery may last six to eight weeks. This period of time is critical to your safety and success with your Realize™ Adjustable Gastric Band. The recovery plan presented below is general and may be different from the one your healthcare team recommends. There also may be differences in what you eat and do if you are diabetic, or have a heart condition or some other health restriction. As always, follow your healthcare team’s directions.

The following are some general recovery tips and expectations:

• Progress from a clear liquid diet to a full liquid diet as the healing from surgery progresses. Your healthcare team will provide advice on the quantity and types of liquids that are right for you at this stage
• Slowly sip at least 64 ounces of low-calorie, non-carbonated fluids each day to stay hydrated.
• Avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages.
• Do not worry if you have shoulder pain. A few days after any type of abdominal surgery many people have pain that radiates to the shoulder and neck. This is normal and the pain should go away in a few days. If it persists, consult your physician.
• Stay mobile. Pneumonia and blood clots are two risks for anyone who has had surgery. Reduce these risks by moving around. Start taking walks or use a treadmill to begin your exercise programs.
• Use caution when bending at the waist and picking up heavy objects. If you injure your abdomen, you may lengthen your recovery period.
• Your healthcare team will advise you when to return to work and when to resume prior activities. Of course, this timing depends on your type of employment, the required physical activity, and your recovery progress.

• Begin eating soft foods and progress toward solid foods. Your healthcare team will provide advice on the quantity and types of food that are appropriate at this stage so you can maintain healthy and balanced nutrition.
• Slowly sip 64 ounces of low-calorie, non-carbonated liquids each day to stay hydrated. For example, pace yourself to have eight 8 oz glasses of these liquids throughout the day.
• Avoid raw vegetables, fruits with skin, nuts, popcorn, tough meats, stringy foods, and crusty bread (bagels and pretzels). These may block your stoma.
• Avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages.
• If you feel nauseated or regurgitate when you start eating soft foods, go back to your liquid diet and wait a few more days before trying soft foods. Abdominal pain that lasts more than three hours means that you need to contact your surgeon right away.
• Continue walking and add aerobic exercises such as cycling, jogging, and swimming. These activities will help increase your energy level, burn calories and tone your muscles.
• Your abdominal muscles are healing, so lift with caution and do not perform any abdominal exercises until a member of your healthcare team gives you permission to do so.
• Most patients have their first adjustment after eating solid food for one week (see REALIZE Band Adjustments for more detail). The exact timing will depend upon your progress. Remember, the REALIZE Band provides some restriction even when it is empty. If you are losing 1 to 2 pounds a week and feeling satisfied with an appropriate portion of food, you may not need an adjustment at this time.

As you progress through the recovery process, it is important to understand the changes your body may go through as well as the emotional changes you may experience. Be sure to communicate with your bariatric program about the changes you are experiencing, and don’t be afraid to rely on your personal support team for encouragement as you recover.

Remember that you are not alone. Your bariatric program and support network exist to help you through your journey to a healthier life. Additionally, Realize mySuccess™ will provide you with tools to help you through recovery including a diet schedule, recovery timelines, and direct access to valuable information from your bariatric program and other resources.

Next: REALIZE Aftercare >