What is the recovery time for gastric surgery?

Full recovery after gastric bypass surgery takes 3 to 5 weeks, according to WebMD. Hospital recovery takes 2 to 3 days prior to being released. Most gastric surgery is laparoscopic, requiring a very small incision, but if a surgeon has to make a larger incision, the healing time is longer.

Close to 90 percent of patients do not experience any side effects hindering gastric bypass recovery, according to WebMD. However, 10 percent of patients experience minor complications, and less than 5 percent encounter major side effects. Common side effects encountered in gastric bypass patients include constipation, dumping syndrome, gallstones and wound infection.