The most popular form of weight loss surgery performed in the U.S. and abroad, gastric sleeve surgery is a procedure in which a majority of the stomach is removed. The operation, itself, doesn’t remove excess pounds, but rather, the reduction in digestive capacity sets up the conditions for rapid loss of weight.

Given the scope of the procedure, as well as the changes that need to be made afterward, the recovery period is particularly critical. This time involves careful monitoring and follow-up as well as significant dietary and lifestyle changes. If you’re thinking about gastric sleeve surgery, it’s important to understand what recovery and rehabilitation look like.

In most cases, patients recover in the hospital for at least two nights following gastric sleeve surgery. Once the medical staff is sure that there are no complications and that the procedure has succeeded, you should be clear to go home.

Since the weight loss actually occurs in the 12 to 24 months following surgery, it’s absolutely essential that you stick closely to your healthcare provider's and dietitian’s orders. Critical for success in this time will be your follow-up appointments. While specific timing may vary based on your case, these include:

Keep in mind that follow-up schedules are tailored to the individual case; make sure to talk to your healthcare provider and dietician about what to expect after surgery.

Since gastric sleeve surgery is such a significant procedure, it takes some time before you’re back to your regular activities. In addition, you’ll have to adjust to your new, smaller stomach, and healthier lifestyle.

You’ll get a great deal of counseling about what to do during this time—and individual cases vary—but what does recovery look like? Here’s what you can expect.

When first back home, you’ll be on a prescribed, all-liquid diet of protein shakes. In addition to any kind of food, you’ll have to avoid caffeinated beverages, including black and green tea, emphasizing water or clear juices instead.

You can and should get some physical activity during this time; aim for at least a half-hour walk a day, slowly scaling up after two weeks. Avoid deep bending or lifting anything over 20 pounds.

Depending on recovery, you should be able to go back to work after two to four weeks, and it’s OK to drive two to three days after discharge. Showers are alright to take, but don’t take baths.

Once given the OK from your healthcare provider, you’ll be able to start an all-pureed diet. Importantly, healthcare providers will advise you to separate fluid intake from meals, which start to consist proteins and fruits that have gone through a food processer.

Basically, you’ll need at least 15 minutes after drinking fluids before you can eat, and you need to wait an hour before you can drink after eating. Your physical regimen will continue to expand—though you won’t be ready to lift weights.

Around week five after surgery, you can start to incorporate soft, easy to digest foods, such as slow-cooked meat, and boiled vegetables. You’ll still need to avoid fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as heavier and drier meats.

Eating throughout the post-operative period needs to be slow and mindful. Most are able to begin full exercise at around four weeks, and physical activity will continue to be emphasized. Usually after about a month, it will be safe for you to swim or take a bath.

The final, soft food phase of diet, with clearance, can finally shift to what will become your new normal. It’s at this point, too, that you can start drinking coffee and tea.

Healthcare providers advise that patients remain mindful as they start reintroducing foods, and that they emphasize healthy choices. You’ll also need to continue to wait at least one hour before drinking after eating. Finally, healthcare providers recommend you abstain from alcohol for at least one year.

Keep in mind that the scope and scale of the changes you’ll need to make following gastric sleeve surgery are significant. You’ll get a great deal of guidance on how to keep up with these changes from your healthcare provider and dietitian.

Given the physiological changes that follow gastric sleeve surgery, coping with physical discomfort and pain is a part of the recovery process. What should you keep in mind? Here’s a quick breakdown:

There can undoubtedly be a significant emotional toll and psychological fallout from rapid weight loss due to gastric sleeve. While most surgeries are successful, and a majority of post-surgical patients are happy with results, a significant portion experience depression, mood disorders, relapse of binge-eating disorders, and other issues.

In fact, one study found about 13% of post weight loss surgery patients experience increases in depression. Throughout the process, from initial consultation through follow-up, you’ll need to undergo a good deal of psychiatric evaluation and consultation.

What sort of treatments are considered for these issues? What other things can you do to manage post-surgical mental health? There are several approaches:

Throughout the recovery process, your healthcare provider may ask you to keep a food journal and be mindful of how you’re feeling both physically and emotionally.

Nowadays, gastric sleeve surgery is performed as a laparoscopic procedure; instead of opening up the abdomen to access the stomach, small incisions allowing in a retractable camera and surgical tools are used. As such, you’ll have about five small incisions in your abdomen, with the largest of these being only 12 millimeters (mm).

Even though this is less invasive than open surgery, you’ll certainly need to be careful as the incisions heal. You’ll get more guidance from your healthcare provider, but here’s what you need to keep in mind when it comes to incision care:

Throughout the recovery process, be mindful of how your incisions are healing. If you see redness, feel excess pain, or are developing a fever or other symptoms, call a healthcare provider immediately.

While weight loss surgeries like gastric sleeve surgery are highly-successful in promoting weight loss, there’s no denying that adjusting to the new lifestyle—and body—that follows is involved and intense.

The good news, however, is that this procedure is safe and well-tolerated, and the techniques and technologies used in surgery today are better than they’ve ever been.

Remember that, if you’re thinking about this procedure, you won’t be alone in your journey; not only will you have dedicated medical staff on your side, but you’ll have your family, loved ones, and friends to help as well. So long as you’re dedicated and engaged in your recovery, there’s no doubt you’ll achieve the outcomes you’ve hoped for.