GASTRIC BANDING AFTERCARE
After your operation you will have regular follow ups with the
physician and Dietician. A programme will be devised to ensure that
the best results are achieved.
You will probably feel more tired than normal for a day or two
but you will return back to normal quickly.
Lifting - Avoid heavy
lifting for 4-6 weeks, but continue with normal activities
Driving - You can drive
as soon as you can make an emergency stop without significant
pain.
What about sex - You can
restart sexual relations as soon as the wound is comfortable
enough.
Work - You should be
able to return to a light job after about two weeks and a heavy job
within four weeks.
Complications -
Complications are not common and are seldom serious.
If you think all is not well, please ask the nurses or
consultant.
- Bruising or swelling may occur around the ports. The swelling
may take a couple of weeks to settle down.
- Wound infection is an occasional problem and settles down with
antibiotics in a week or two.
- An occasional problem is migration of the band upwards which
can require another operation to reposition the band.
- Aches and twinges may be felt in the wound for up to six
months.
- Occasionally there are numb patches in the skin around the
wound which get better after two to three months.
General advice -The
operation should not be underestimated. Some customers are
surprised how slowly they regain stamina. However, virtually all
customers are back to normal duties within one month.