Gastric Sleeve Side Effects

Bruising and Swelling

Bruising and swelling are also common side effects that patients can experience after any surgical procedure. Thankfully, these are only temporary side effects that will fade on their own with time.

Major bruising typically fades by the end of two weeks, while minor bruising may persist for a month. Swelling is also common for about a month, although you may experience some minor swelling for a few months.

For both bruising and swelling, patients should consider light walking during recovery, as this activity helps promote blood circulation and improves healing.

Soreness and Discomfort

Soreness and discomfort are one of the most common side effects of any surgery. Even though the procedure is performed laproscopically, you will notice some discomfort around the abdominal region. Manage your pain by getting proper rest, especially in the days immediately following surgery, and by taking any prescribed pain relievers as recommended.

Hiccups

Hiccups remain a bit of a mystery with regard to bariatric surgery procedures and their side effects. They can occur frequently, with no rhyme or reason. Many patients notice that eating or drinking too fast can trigger hiccups, which is why it's important to savor your food and drink water slowly in between meals.

Nausea

Nausea is one of the more common side effects. Changes in your diet, your digestive tract, and your eating habits after surgery all contribute to occasional feelings of nausea after the procedure. While it’s not clear what causes nausea, it’s normal and may be partly due to food staying in your stomach for longer periods. Your body is becoming attuned to its needs, and this slight discomfort may end up becoming useful to your health in the long run.

Hair Loss

The major changes to your diet and digestive tract may also cause your body to experience stress, which can lead to hair thinning as your follicles switch to a temporary resting phase. Your hair loss will stop and reverse itself in the months ahead as you recover from surgery side effects your body gets used to your new diet, and you become healthy again.

Diarrhea

Diarrhea can be a serious problem for some patients that persists long after surgery. This problem can occur for several reasons, including alterations in gut microbiota and rapid exposure of the small intestine to undigested nutrients. Cases that last for a long time can lead to dehydration and malnutrition.

Regret #1 - Not Realizing How Much Your Relationship With Food Will Change

Eating is an emotional experience. Food is not just for survival. It's about socializing, self-reward, and often an emotional outlet. Many patients report disinterest in food, a common psychological regret, after gastric sleeve. You may want to enjoy your meals so badly, yet you find eating a chore. Getting extreme pleasure out of eating is a sign of food addiction, and if you don't change your eating habits and continue to eat junk food or overeat, you can derail your weight loss goals. Work with our bariatric dietician or a psychologist who can help repair your relationship with food.

Regret #2 - Not Learning to Eat Slowly Before Surgery

Eating too fast can make you overeat, but you'll also encounter another, bigger problem: food can get caught in your stomach pouch, causing pain. Some foods can become easily stuck, so always chew your food thoroughly before swallowing and pause between bites. Make each bite tiny, and chew your food to the consistency of mashed potatoes. Eventually, this mindful practice will help you manage and enjoy eating again.

Regret #3 - Dealing With Excess Skin

With massive weight loss can come lots of excessive, stretched skin. Although not everyone experiences excessive skin, your age, skin elasticity, and the amount of weight, you lose following bariatric surgery can make your skin droopy in areas like the neck, arms, shoulders, stomach, back, chest, legs, and private areas. Skin removal surgery performed by a plastic surgeon can help restore your emotional health, improve self-confidence, and make your clothes fit great

Regret #4 - Experiencing Hair Loss

Hair loss is a common side effect of rapid weight loss because you eat less food and absorb fewer nutrients, thereby stressing the body. This condition is temporary. Nevertheless, it is frustrating. Hair loss typically occurs between three and six months after surgery and can last up to a year after your surgery date. To minimize hair loss, consume a minimum of 70 grams of protein for women and 80-90 grams for men daily and take the recommended vitamin supplements.

Regret #5 - Body Dysmorphia, Still Seeing an Obese Person in the Mirror

It may sound strange, but after sleeve gastrectomy, you may see the new version of yourself that everyone else does, no matter how much weight you lose. Your body may change so rapidly post-surgery that your mind may not be able to comprehend the difference, especially during the first 12 months. Because of this, many people still view themselves as obese or unhealthy, no matter how much weight they have lost.

Regret #6 - Losing Weight is Hard Work

Your healthcare provider counseled you that weight loss surgery is a tool to lose excess weight and not a magic pill, but did you think it would be that hard? Probably not. You'll have a lot to learn, like the difference between "head hunger" and true, physical hunger. You may feel like you are on an emotional rollercoaster and may question your mental health when you feel depressed over plateaus and other setbacks. Get help from mental health professionals if post-surgery blues are getting the best of you.

Regret #7 - I Didn't Sign Up for the Side Effects

Serious side effects are rare but keep in mind that gastric sleeve is a major surgical procedure. Bariatric surgery has altered your anatomy, and your stomach will need time to heal and adjust. Keep in mind that even though pesky side effects like gas pain, nausea, belching, indigestion, and incision pain are pesky, most side effects are only temporary. Follow doctor recommendations to minimize discomfort.

Regret #8 - Why Didn't I Get Gastric Sleeve Surgery Sooner?

Perhaps the only regret shared among most patients is why they didn't get weight loss surgery sooner. Once patients experience significant weight loss along with the resolution of conditions like high blood pressure, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, and other metabolic disorders that prevent good health. Having a sleeve gastrectomy is an act of self-love as it is an investment in your life. Changing your life by following a bariatric diet, exercising and taking vitamin supplements, and adopting an overall healthy lifestyle will help you achieve success in your weight loss journey.