Harrison General Surgery – Jason Harrison, MD, PA

Dr. Jason Harrison practices weight loss surgery in Arlington, Texas, specializing in the LAP-BAND® and gastric sleeve procedures. Dr. Harrison and his staff are dedicated to providing exemplary patient care. They will gladly answer questions about your procedure and ensure that you are as comfortable as possible throughout your recovery from surgery.

REDUCING YOUR RECOVERY TIME

You wake up in a room of dazzling light and constant noise. At first you’re confused, anxious, and unsure of where you are. Then you remember: the brief ride on the gurney, the smell of the anesthetic, the smiling face of your nurse overhead…then blackness. Suddenly it all makes sense. You are in a hospital recovery room, surrounded by people caring for you. Your weight loss surgery is over. Your new life has begun.

Now what?

Recovering from weight loss surgery is a vital part of your treatment for obesity. It can be a lengthy process if you don’t know the rules. However, by sticking to the guidelines below, you can reduce your post-op recovery time to the minimum necessary, and get going on that shiny new life as quickly as possible.

Rule 1: Follow your doctor’s instructions. Weight loss surgery may be common these days, but it’s nothing to take lightly. Serious and even life-threatening postoperative complications can occur during the recovery period. This is why it’s vital that you follow all of the instructions given to you by your doctor. You may feel great right away, or you may feel like you’ve been hit by a truck. But, no matter how you feel, the fact remains that your body needs time to heal. Your doctor knows your case, and knows just what you need to be doing (or not doing) in order to speed that healing – so listen to what he has to say.

Rule 2: Get moving…slowly. In the wake of your victory over obesity, the urge to run shouting through the streets in celebration may be overwhelming. Or, conversely, after your weight loss surgery, you may want to curl up beneath the sheets and spend a week of quality time catching up on Judge Judy. The solution is a happy medium — slow and steady wins the race. Moving and staying active will lessen the chances of painful stiffness and blood clots after surgery, and it’s imperative that you get moving right away — even while you’re still in the hospital. But overdoing it could cause other problems. Play it safe, and stick with the routine suggested by your doctor. You should exercise every day (a 30 minute daily walk is ideal) but don’t lift anything more than 20 pounds for the first few weeks. You may shower as normal, participate in everyday activities, use stairs, and even return to work after about a week – but take it easy at first, and always rest when you feel tired.

Rule 3: Take medication as prescribed. There’s nothing to be gained by pretending to be a tough guy (or gal). Enduring the pain that comes with surgery doesn’t make you macho – it just makes your recovery time longer. Both in the hospital and at home, take your medicine according to your doctor’s instructions, including pain-killers. (However, let your doctor know if you have a history of substance abuse, as he may prescribe a different post-operative regimen.) And, of course, don’t forget to take your iron, B-12, and other nutritional supplements as directed.

Your doctor performed the surgery. The rest of your treatment is up to you. Happily, your body is designed to heal itself. By following these three rules – along with the instructions given you by your surgeon – you give your body the time and tools it needs to fix itself faster. And the faster you heal, the sooner you’re back in the swing of things, living your new, healthy life!