Walk early and often
Improves circulation and lowers clot risk. Start the day of surgery — short, frequent laps are better than one long walk.
Post-Op Guide
Your recovery, week by week.
A general roadmap for the days, weeks, and months after bariatric surgery. Your surgical team's instructions always override anything on this page.
Section 1
Diet progression.
Advance only when your surgeon clears you. These timelines are typical, not fixed.
- 1
Day of surgery
Small sips of water all day. Clear fat-free broth or decaf herbal tea.
- 2
Weeks 1–2
Full liquids only — water, protein shakes, clear broth with protein powder added.
- 3
Weeks 2–4
Add fat-free cottage cheese and plain fat-free Greek yogurt.
- 4
Week 5
Add tuna, baked fish, and soft scrambled eggs.
- 5
Week 6
Add well-cooked tender chicken or turkey and well-cooked vegetables.
- 6
Week 7+ — your new normal
Introduce one new food per day to test tolerance. High-protein, low-fat, low-carb — aim for half the plate protein, half vegetables.
Section 2
Activity & healing.
No driving for ~1 week
And never while taking opioid pain medication.
No heavy lifting
Avoid heavy lifting or strenuous activity for ~3–6 weeks. Confirm exact limits with your surgeon.
Back to work in ~2–3 weeks
Depending on your procedure and how physical your job is.
Wound care
Keep incisions clean and dry. No baths, swimming, or submersion in water until cleared.
Expected discomfort
Some incision soreness — and temporary neck or shoulder pain from surgical gas — is normal and fades within a few days.
Section 3
Medications & supplements.
Your medication needs will shift as you lose weight. Coordinate every change with your surgeon or PCP.
Don't stop or restart on your own
Always check with your surgeon or PCP first. Diabetes and blood-pressure medications in particular often need adjusting as you lose weight.
Start your bariatric vitamins as directed
Typically a bariatric multivitamin, B12, calcium citrate (in split doses), vitamin D, and iron — lifelong, with periodic labs. Exact regimen: confirm with the office.
Section 4
When to call us.
Trust your instincts. If something feels off, call the office.
Call the office
- Fever
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
- Inability to keep fluids down or signs of dehydration
- Increasing redness, drainage, or pain at an incision
Emergency — call 911
- Chest pain
- Shortness of breath
- Calf swelling or pain
Go to the nearest emergency room or call 911 immediately.
Section 5
Follow-up, for life.
Lifelong follow-up protects your results and catches nutritional issues early.
1–2 weeks
Early post-op visit — incision check, hydration, symptoms.
3 months
Progress check, labs, nutrition review.
6 months
Weight trajectory, vitamin levels, activity.
9 months
Continued progress, fine-tune nutrition and exercise.
12 months
One-year milestone — comprehensive review and labs.
Annually, for life
Lifelong follow-up protects your results and catches nutritional issues early.
This guide is general education. Your surgical team's specific instructions — diet advancement, activity limits, medication changes, and follow-up timing — always take precedence.