Bariatric (Obesity) & Metabolic Surgery

Most patients are admitted on the morning of surgery and stay in the hospital for 2-3 days, depending on their overall medical condition. By discharge, most can care for themselves independently without assistance. There is usually minimal to no pain at discharge, with only mild oral painkillers needed. Most patients are able to climb stairs before discharge.

Within 7-10 days, many patients resume regular walking and office-based work. Some even return to work in 4 5 days, though recovery varies from person to person. We always advise patients to listen to their bodies and gradually increase activity at a comfortable pace.

After bariatric surgery, you will begin with a liquid diet from the day after surgery, which is then gradually advanced to a regular diet over the next 6–8 weeks. The first 2 weeks are dedicated to a liquid diet, followed by 2 weeks of pureed foods, then 2 weeks of soft foods, after which you can transition to your normal diet. It is important to understand that these stages refer to the consistency of the food. You can enjoy a wide variety of healthy, regular foods as long as they are prepared in the appropriate consistency, either to eat or drink. The amount of liquids and food is very small in the beginning and gradually increases over the following 6 months. At Adroit, we advise every patient to eat and drink slowly, chew food thoroughly, stop eating once you feel full, and eat again only when you feel hungry. By the end of 2 months, you will be eating regular foods, but in very small portions at a time. By the end of 6 months, you will be able to eat all normal foods in a reasonable quantity at each meal. Most of our patients are satisfied with the amount of food they can comfortably eat by 3-4 months after surgery.

Three important changes take place after bariatric surgery: mechanical, hormonal (metabolic), and behavioural. Physically, your stomach becomes much smaller after surgery, whether you undergo a Sleeve Gastrectomy or a Gastric Bypass. As a result, you will feel full after eating only a small amount of food. During the initial few weeks after surgery, if you try to eat more than your stomach can comfortably accommodate, you may experience discomfort or vomiting.

The stomach wall detects the pressure created by the food and sends signals to the brain, which helps you recognise when you are hungry and when you are full. After surgery, this mechanism allows you to feel satisfied with much smaller portions and reduces the urge to keep eating. If you feel hungry again after a few hours, you can comfortably have another healthy meal or snack. Metabolically, both Sleeve Gastrectomy and Gastric Bypass cause significant changes in gut hormones. These hormonal changes naturally reduce your hunger, help you feel full with smaller quantities of food, and decrease the cravings that many people experience before surgery.

They also help prevent feelings of weakness, tiredness, or lethargy, even when you are eating much less and losing weight rapidly. Finally, adapting to your new eating pattern after surgery gradually changes your behaviour towards food and hunger. Together, these mechanical, hormonal, and behavioural changes help you develop healthier eating habits while allowing you to remain comfortable, healthy, energetic, and active.

Yes, you can enjoy restaurant meals and meals at social gatherings after bariatric surgery. There is an initial adjustment period of adapting to your new eating habits, but once you adapt, dining out and social eating become much easier.

During the first few weeks after Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass surgery, you will need to avoid certain foods and gradually progress through the recommended diet stages. However, with the right guidance and support from your doctor and nutritionist team, you can gradually return to enjoying normal social meals.

By around 3 months after surgery, most patients can eat much like anyone else, with the key difference being smaller portion sizes. At Adroit, we help our patients make healthier food choices so they can enjoy eating out and social occasions with friends and family while staying on track with their weight-loss journey.

In most cases, yes, patients are significantly happier one year after bariatric surgery. Many feel that choosing surgery was one of the best decisions they made and would recommend it to others struggling with obesity. Improved health, better mobility, increased confidence, and enhanced social and mental well-being all contribute to this long-term satisfaction. At Adroit, we believe patient satisfaction is one of the strongest measures of successful bariatric surgery.

The amount of weight you lose after bariatric surgery depends on several factors, including:

• Your pre-surgery weight, BMI, and excess weight (weight above your ideal body weight)
• The type of bariatric surgery you undergo and technical factors such as pouch size, sleeve size, or bypass length
• Your age
• How well you follow the recommended diet, lifestyle changes, and behaviour modifications after surgery

In general, most patients lose about 70-90% of their excess weight. This means you may not reach your exact ideal body weight, but you are likely to come very close. In reality, most patients are satisfied with this level of weight loss and do not wish to lose significantly more.

Another major advantage is that the weight loss achieved after bariatric surgery is generally much easier to maintain over the long term.

After a Gastric Sleeve or Gastric Bypass, maintaining a healthy lifestyle is essential for lifelong success. Eat nutritious, balanced meals in portions that are comfortable for your stomach. Stay physically active by walking for at least 30 minutes every day, and, if possible, include stretching or yoga in your routine.

Managing stress is equally important. Practising meditation or breathing exercises can help you stay calm and improve your overall well-being. Good-quality sleep should also be a priority. Regular long-term follow-up is necessary to monitor your weight loss, provide ongoing dietary guidance, and detect any nutritional deficiencies or complications early.

Follow-up visits are designed to help you maintain healthy lifestyle habits. At Adroit, we have a dedicated follow-up programme that supports and motivates our patients to achieve lasting lifestyle and dietary improvements, and we are delighted to see the positive long-term transformation in our patients.

Yes. After bariatric surgery, you will need to take vitamin and calcium supplements. If you undergo a Gastric Bypass, iron supplements are also routinely required. After a Gastric Sleeve, iron supplements are usually recommended only if your iron levels are low before surgery.

For the first 18 months after surgery, taking your prescribed vitamin and calcium supplements is essential. After this period, whether you need to continue supplements depends on your blood test results. However, you should have your vitamin levels, haemoglobin, and iron levels checked every 6 months to determine whether ongoing supplementation is necessary.