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Following surgery, the patient will awaken in a recovery room and will be monitored for any post-surgery complications. Patients are typically required to remain in the hospital for three to five days. The tube that was inserted through the nose into the upper stomach before the procedure will help keep the new stomach pouch empty so that the staple line can heal. In some cases, a second tube will have been inserted into the bypassed stomach during surgery. This tube is usually removed four to six weeks after surgery.

Pain medication will be administered as needed, either intravenously or orally. Patients will be encouraged to move around as much as possible while in the bed, and ultimately to get up and walk around as they recover. It may take several weeks before a patient displays the same level of stamina they exhibited before the procedure.   

Patients typically cannot eat solid foods for a day or two after surgery. Once their stomach has had some time to heal, patients will be placed on a special diet. This will last for several months and begins with two to three days of clear liquids (e.g., water, juice, broth), followed by three or four weeks of thicker liquids (e.g., pudding, cream soups) and pureed foods (which have the consistency of a smooth paste) and then eight weeks of soft foods (e.g., finely diced meats, canned fruits, cooked vegetables).

Eventually, patients return to eating some regular foods, avoiding those that are high in fats and sugar. Patients will initially find that they need to eat very small meals through the day, although the stomach will stretch a bit over time. Gastric bypass patients must also drink plenty of liquids, but liquids cannot be consumed at mealtimes because the stomach is so small. For the first six months following surgery, patients often find that they may vomit or feel pain under the breastbone if they eat too much or eat too fast.

Aching may also occur at the incision site and within the abdominal muscles, particularly with deep breathing, coughing or exertion. In general, patients should refrain from strenuous activity, such as lifting heavy items, for several months after surgery to prevent strain on the abdominal muscles and incision site.

Patients may experience other signs and symptoms during this period as well, including:

• Nausea
• Body aches
• Feeling of tiredness similar to flu
• Feeling cold
• Dry skin
• Hair thinning or hair loss
• Mood changes
• Changes in bowel movements
• Constipation
• Loss of muscle mass

Patients should contact their physician if they experience any of the following:

• Fever
• Chills
• Redness or swelling at the incision site
• Bleeding or other drainage from the incision site
• Increased pain at the incision site

Physicians monitor gastric bypass patients closely for several years after surgery. Continued attention to weight loss and diet is essential for a successful outcome, and the patient is likely to consult with a registered dietitian or other dietary expert in planning appropriate meals. Patients may participate in support groups or use other methods to help adjust to their new lifestyle.

As people lose weight over the next one to two years they may develop excess skin. These patients may benefit from plastic surgery aimed at correcting the condition.