Gastric Sleeve Recovery — Gold Coast

What to expect after sleeve surgery in Southport: hospital stay, pain control, diet progression and safe return to activity.

Typical timeline

  • Hospital stay: 1–2 nights. Early walking encouraged.
  • Pain control: multimodal analgesia; taper as directed.
  • Driving/work: when off strong pain meds and safe to emergency stop (often 1–2 weeks for desk work).

Diet stages

Fluids → Puree → Soft → Regular over ~4–6 weeks. See Diet Stages after Sleeve.

Activity & movement

  • Walk daily from day 1; gradually increase duration.
  • No heavy lifting until cleared by your care team.
  • Return to gym/strenuous activity is staged and personalised.

Follow-up & blood tests

Scheduled reviews with the surgeon and dietitian. Routine bloods to monitor nutrients. See Vitamins after Sleeve.

When to call

Fever, chest pain, shortness of breath, severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, calf swelling, or wound concerns. If severe, seek urgent care.

Sleeve — Gold Coast · Risks · Bypass — Gold Coast

Questions about recovery?

Contact the team · Gold Coast clinic

Recovery FAQs

When can I drive?

When you are off strong pain medicines and can safely perform an emergency stop.

How much time off work?

Desk work commonly 1–2 weeks; physically demanding work may need longer.

Will I have drains or staples removed?

Depends on intra-operative findings and surgeon preference; we’ll advise before discharge.