Recovering After Weight-Loss Surgery | The Importance of Sleep

Restful sleep is crucial for recovery after bariatric surgeries like the Lap-Band®. For patients struggling to sleep, several techniques may be beneficial. Try these tips for better sleep from Utah Lap-Band that may help you rest and recover without requiring over-the-counter medications. 

Sleep After Bariatric Surgery

After a bariatric procedure like the Lap-Band, you’ll need sleep to help your body recover. Successfully recovering requires restfulness, which can be difficult while your body tries to heal. During sleep, your body can repair tissue, muscle, and bone damage. Without this benefit, you may find that your recovery time is longer. 

In addition, a lack of sleep negatively affects your immune system, which may lead to further complications. Keeping a healthy immune system is vital after your procedure. With a sufficient amount of sleep, you can help ensure you’ll remain healthy through the recovery process. 

Sleeping Pills and Weight-Loss Surgery

If you struggle to sleep after your procedure, you might think that over-the-counter sleeping aids are an acceptable way to encourage sleep. Unfortunately, the opposite is true. Sleeping pills and weight-loss surgery have a complex relationship. Over-the-counter sleeping pills aren’t recommended without first talking to your physician.

Various medications prescribed after bariatric surgery, like pain medication, act as sedatives. When combined with an over-the-counter sedative, this can lead to breathing problems—especially for people who suffer from poor airway control. Because of this problem, your physician may recommend alternative exercises to help sleep before resorting to more medication. 

Alternative Techniques for Sleep After Your Bariatric Procedure

With over-the-counter medications ruled out, alternative methods can assist recovering patients with sleep. Before talking to your doctor, try these tips for sleep after your bariatric procedure:

• Change Your Environment – Quality sleep relies on environmental factors like temperature, light, and sound. Ensure that your bedroom can guide you into sleep with ease.
• Breathing and Meditation – Breathing techniques and meditation can aid your path to sleep. There are multiple methods to choose from, so experiment and implement the most effective one for you. 
• Reading and Writing – Reading before bed has been shown to help with insomnia after procedures like the Lap-Band. Additionally, you may choose to journal to ease your body into a more relaxed state. However, be sure to refrain from using sleep-inhibiting blue light to illuminate your space. Select paperbacks and a warm, natural reading light for better sleep. 

Regardless of what method you choose, the most important thing is to ensure that it works for you. Recovering after weight-loss surgery can be difficult, which is why the Lap-Band program provides multiple forms of support after your procedure. Support for sleep isn’t the only type of support you’ll receive from the Lap-Band System. 

The Lap-Band is one of the safest bariatric surgeries that provides a removable, fully adjustable gastric band for weight loss. With the Lap-Band System, you’ll receive added support throughout your weight-loss journey. Your team will work with you to establish healthy eating and exercise habits, along with providing excellent care. If you suffer from inadequate sleep, your team can also work with you to ensure that you get the proper amount of rest. If you’d like to discover more about the Lap-Band, learn more from Utah Lap-Band.