Exact Answer:  2-3 days

Sleeve surgery, also known as longitudinal tube gastrectomy that is a surgical weight loss procedure. This procedure is performed laparoscopically, in which small instruments are inserted through many small incisions in the upper abdomen.

A person who undergoes sleeve surgery prepares himself for constant changes in healthier and a better lifestyle. One must participate in long-term follow-up plans that include monitoring your diet, lifestyle and behavior, and health.

How Long After Sleeve Surgery Can I Drive - Sleeve surgery, also known as longitudinal tube gastrectomy that is a surgical weight loss procedure. This procedure is performed laparoscopically, in which small instruments are inserted through many small incisions in the upper abdomen.

How Long After Sleeve Surgery Can I Drive?

It is recommended that you should not drive for 2 to 3 days after the surgery, this is on the whole is advised to allow the anesthetics and any postoperative pain relievers or analgesics to wear off and you should not feel dizzy. The wounds will heal in about 10-14 days, so a person may feel some discomfort while driving at first hence it is not advised to drive for a few days.

After the surgery, the diet begins with sugar-free and still liquids for the first seven days, then mashed foods for three weeks, and finally regular foods four weeks after surgery, also it is advised to take a multivitamin twice a day, a calcium supplement once a day, and a vitamin B12 injection once a month for better recovery.

The time required by a person to heal will depend on the nature of his profession, If he has a physically inactive job, he can return to work after 12 weeks by then, the injury will heal and you will feel much less discomfort.

If your job is physically demanding, it may take you longer to get back to work. In the first few months after weight loss surgery, it is a must to have regular check-ups to monitor your health, and a person may need laboratory tests, blood tests, and various tests.

During the first three to six months after a sleeve gastrectomy, changes are experienced, as your body reacts to rapid weight loss, including body aches, Feeling tiredness, feeling cold, dry skin, hair thinning, hair loss, mood changes, etc.

Sleeve Surgery

Summary:

ActionsTime
Driving2-3 days
Running2 weeks
Walking1 week

Why Does It Take Long To Drive After Sleeve Surgery?

After going through the surgery a person may feel pain at the incision site or the position from where the body was during surgery. Some patients also experience neck and shoulder pain after the surgery. Although discomfort after surgery is normal, and medical treatment and pain relievers are necessary for recovery.

After a few days when a person feels comfortable, he can walk, breathe deeply, and cough, better of all which are essential for a speedy recovery. There are activities such as walking and even changing positions in bed that promote blood circulation, good blood flow helps prevent blood clots and promotes healing. Standing, walking, and exercising after surgery can help speed recovery and minimize complications.

For the first 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, it is important to follow the recommended diet to reduce the likelihood of complications, this will allow the sutures to be fixed in the correct position. It is important to diet and not run or skip stages to allow the bag and intestines to heal if and to relieve discomfort.

Drive

The diet can change from liquid foods to solid foods. However, keep in mind that these stages are indicative and you should be careful when consuming regular texture food in small portions, it may take longer for some people to get through when consumed more regularly hence it is more advised to use solid food

Conclusion

One should remember that all people are different, before returning to self-driving after surgery, make sure you have the surgeon’s permission. If you can tolerate the pain you should start with shorter walks and only move on to longer walks when you can start walking correctly.

The sleeve gastrectomy takes place in a hospital. Depending on your recovery, a person may be asked to stay one to two nights at the hospital itself.

References:

  1. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11695-018-3296-7
  2. https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/abs/10.1161/hypertensionaha.113.02988