How long to recover from stomach surgery?

Immediate post-operative period

- Stay in the hospital usually 1-3 days.

- Limited diet of liquids or soft foods.

- Pain relievers for pain control.

- An IV is usually placed to provide fluids and medications.

- A surgical drain may be in place to drain excess fluid from your abdomen.

- You will be encouraged to get out of bed and walk as soon as possible to help prevent blood clots and pneumonia.

Weeks 1-4 after surgery

- Follow a restricted diet as recommended by your doctor. This may include avoiding certain foods, such as spicy or fatty foods, or eating smaller, more frequent meals.

- Take pain medication as prescribed.

- Rest as needed, but gradually increase your activity level.

- Avoid lifting heavy objects or doing any strenuous activity.

- Attend follow-up appointments with your doctor to check on your progress.

Months 4-6 after surgery

- Most people are able to resume their normal activities by this point, although you may still need to avoid certain strenuous activities.

- Your diet should be mostly back to normal, although you may still need to avoid certain foods.

- You should be able to stop taking pain medication by this point.

Long-term follow-up

- You will need to see your doctor regularly for the first year after surgery to monitor your progress and check for any complications.

- You may also need to have repeat endoscopies or other tests to check on your stomach and make sure the surgery was successful.

Recovery tips

- Be patient with yourself. Recovery from stomach surgery can take time, and it is important to be patient with yourself as your body heals.

- Follow your doctor's instructions carefully. This will help to ensure that you have a smooth recovery and avoid any complications.

- Eat a healthy diet. Eating a healthy diet can help to promote healing and reduce the risk of complications.

- Get regular exercise. Exercise can help to improve your overall health and well-being, and it can also help to reduce the risk of complications from stomach surgery.

- Manage stress. Stress can slow down the healing process, so it is important to find healthy ways to manage stress.