Long Term Lifestyle



You will have returned to work by two weeks postoperatively (or four weeks if you have to lift heavy things routinely at work). Your life will start to return to normal.

• Diet: your dietitian will give you advice on stages. Generally 0-2 weeks you are on nourishing fluids, 2-4 weeks on puree diet then 4-6 weeks on soft diet.  After six weeks you will be on a normal diet in reduced quantity. Keep an eye on your fluid and protein intake.
• Bowels: you might need to keep using the lactulose and movicol in the first few weeks. Once your bowels are established, start a fibre supplement - this is a good way to ensure long term weight maintenance
• Exercise: cardio is fine. Walking, jogging or cycling. Weight lifting or core muscle work (such as pilates) should be avoided until four weeks to ensure wound healing
• Swimming: beach swimming is fine from two weeks. Indoor pools only from four weeks.
• Multivitamins: you will need a multivitamin for life.
• Bloods: you will need followup blood tests at 6 months, 12 months then annually (or more frequently if you are diabetic)
• Medications: see your surgeon and your GP. Often we need to cease your blood pressure medication, some diabetic medication and you may not need CPAP anymore