Can I Have Sex After Gastric Sleeve? How Long Should I Wait?

  • International ClinicsInternational Clinics
  • 2995
  • 24 September 2024

Sex is an important aspect of life as it serves multiple purposes, such as relieving stress, experiencing pleasure, and building intimacy with your partner. However, if you’re a bariatric patient, you may have a lot of sensitive questions about sex after a gastric sleeve or gastric bypass.

Understandably, many patients have concerns about how their sex life will be impacted after undergoing gastric sleeve in Turkey.

After all, they don’t want to waste more time waiting for their chance to express love with their partners. Hence, they want to know when they can safely resume sexual activity and how intimacy after gastric sleeve is achieved.

Changes in Sex After Gastric Sleeve

Sex and Gastric Sleeve

If you’re asking whether the reduction in excess weight and BMI enhances sexual life, the answer to that is a resounding yes.

Body weight and self-image can have a significant impact on patients’ sexual satisfaction before and after gastric sleeve surgery.

While the effects of the surgery on sexual quality can vary from person to person, most of these effects are positive, and may include the following:

Better Libido in Males & Females

After your gastric sleeve surgery, your sexual life is expected to witness a considerable improvement. The improvement was observed through various studies conducted on patients after bariatric surgery. A study conducted on these patients discovered that half of them saw a noticeable increase in their libido, along with a spike in their sexual activity. Indeed, bariatric surgery is directly linked to improving sexual experiences in both sexes.

Better Sexual Satisfaction

Weight loss after bariatric surgery can lead to the resolution of sexual dysfunction in women. Unsurprisingly,  the improvement in patients sex lives is one of the most notable changes they experience after the procedure, alongside the improvements in their body image and overall health. In other words, sex is more enjoyable and fulfilling following gastric sleeve surgery.

Less Sexual Insecurity

People who are overweight may have a few insecurities surrounding sex. However, losing weight and gaining confidence can help alleviate these feelings and lead to a more pleasurable and intimate sexual experience.

As commonly believed, losing weight can increase attraction among partners, leading to heightened sexual desire and passion. When it comes to worries about erectile dysfunction, studies have shown that body weight loss is the basis of erectile dysfunction treatment in obese patients.

Get the scoop on: gastric sleeve 10 years later

The Perfect Time for Sex After Gastric Sleeve

Determining the precise time frame for resuming sexual activity after weight loss surgery isn’t an exact science. Many patients wonder, when can you have intercourse after gastric sleeve surgery?

Like the postoperative recovery period, the waiting period for engaging in sexual activity differs from one patient to another. Some people may feel up to having sex within a week or two, while others may experience pain and discomfort for several weeks.

Every patients recovery time is unique, so it’s better to listen to your body and only resume sexual activity when it’s safe to do so. Based on your unique recovery needs, your doctor may advise you to wait for a period of 2-4 weeks before engaging in sexual activity.

During the initial few weeks, it’s recommended to have soft sex that doesn’t cause any discomfort or pain. In other words, you must avoid intense sexual positions and movements to spare yourself regret and frustration.

If you experience any discomfort, then stop the sexual activity until you have fully recovered. Remember, everyone heals differently, so it’s better to prioritize your recovery and not rush into sexual activity.

Best Positions for Sex After Gastric Sleeve

Pay attention to your bodys needs and limitations after gastric sleeve surgery before resuming sexual activity.

Certain sex positions like the missionary position can put pressure on the abdomen and cause stitches to tear, leading to discomfort or pain during intercourse.

Therefore, it's best to avoid them and opt for positions that don’t put pressure on the stomach. Luckily, there are many positions that don’t place pressure on the stomach. A quick search on Google can give you a lot of creative inspiration and ideas for sex after weight loss surgery.

 When it comes to intimacy and close interactions with your partner, skin sagging and other changes in your body can make you feel insecure about these activities.

To overcome this problem, you must get used to feeling comfortable in your skin and take time to explore your body.

The best approach is to listen to your body and talk to your surgeon about when and how it would be safe to resume sexual activity based on your situation. In short, don’t overlook the benefits of sex after your surgery.

Engage in safe sexual positions and activities as your case permits. With the right information and approach, you can enhance your relationships and enjoy a more satisfying sexual experience after surgery.

Pregnancy and Fertility After Gastric Sleeve

Fertility After Gastric Sleeve

Weight loss surgery has been found to have a positive impact on polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) and improve female fertility. For those who have experienced difficulty in getting pregnant, the likelihood of conception and successful birth increases significantly after gastric sleeve.

While weight loss surgery can aid women in regaining ovulation and increasing fertility, it’s not a complete cure for PCOS.

In addition, most doctors do not recommend pregnancy until your weight has stabilized, which typically takes about two years after the procedure.

 Often, obese women regain their fertility faster when they lose excess body fat. However, plan ahead and choose a reliable contraceptive method if you don’t plan to have a child soon. Be cautious with birth control methods until you are ready to become pregnant.

Things That Affect Sex After Gastric Sleeve

Regardless of the exact time of resuming your sexual activities with your partner after obesity surgery in Turkey, there are many things that could affect your sexual pleasure after the surgery. Below are some of these things:

  • Energy Level: Major surgery can leave you feeling tired and exhausted for several weeks. This is because your body works hard to heal the remaining wound. As a result, you might not feel up to having sex until at least four to six weeks after your gastric sleeve surgery.
  • Pain and Discomfort: Expect to experience some level of pain and discomfort after the procedure. This can range from mild to severe, depending on the individual. Feeling pain and discomfort isn’t optimal to get the mood for sex. Hence, only engage in sexual activity when you feel up to it.
  • Surgical Incisions: Gastric sleeve surgery leaves incisions and scars in your abdomen. While most incisions are minor and heal without complications, healing can vary among individuals. Ask your surgeon how your incisions are going to heal and when it’s safe to resume sexual activity without causing further damage.
  • Complications: Although complications from gastric sleeve surgery are rare, they can happen. If you experience complications such as an infection or hernia, you must wait until they have been treated before resuming sexual activity. Depending on the severity of the complications, this could mean waiting several weeks or longer.

The Bottom Line

Questions surrounding sex after gastric sleeve are frequently common among patients, especially those who underwent the procedure to shed weight and retrieve their original slim, attractive bodies. Most surgeons advise against rushing on sex directly after the procedures. Although this might be an "emotional" gastric sleeve cost, the recommendation should be followed by most patients.

They also recommend patients choose the right positions and avoid harmful, intense sexual practices to prevent recovery issues. In any case, the surgery is expected to enhance sexual functions and improve fertility in both males and females.

International Clinics in Turkey is a pioneer in gastric sleeve surgery and other bariatric procedures. The clinics have provided these procedures to thousands of international patients. Each year, the clinics announce new packages for those who seek affordable, safe bariatric procedures.

The packages involve follow-up sessions, diet consultations, and other extra services to enhance the experience of the patient. You can contact us immediately using the Contact Us button below.

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External Sources Healthline

FAQ's

The gastric sleeve doesn’t cause erectile dysfunction. On the contrary, gastric sleeve can support normal penile erection and prevent erectile dysfunction that could result from obesity.

Gastric sleeve affects libido positively as the surgery can help you shed more weight and enhance your overall health. In fact, it’s likely to experience more libido after the surgery, but you need to continue consuming healthy fats.

Gastric sleeve can enhance sexuality and raise the level of energy, libido, and blood perfusion to the sexual organs. Most patients win a better sexual life after the procedure, especially if they follow healthy lifestyles and practice a good routine of physical activities.

You can strengthen your libido after gastric sleeve by following a good lifestyle, especially when it comes to diet and exercise. In a nutshell, you can consume healthy fats and focus more heavily on protein-rich foods to enhance your libido, besides practicing strength and resistance exercises.

Gastric sleeve isn’t harmful to sexuality. On the contrary, gastric sleeve is a solution to obesity, which carries negative impacts on normal sexual functions in both males and females.

Gastric sleeve can boost attractiveness and make you look healthier, which is a key to having a robust emotional, social, and sexual life. After all, gastric sleeve is a bariatric surgery that helps people lose weight and look toned.

Gastric sleeve isn’t harmful to relationships. However, if your spouse remains overweight and insists to continue their usual unhealthy dietary habits after your gastric sleeve surgery, you may both face difficulty, but everything can be resolved through discussion and agreement.

VSG (Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy) surgery can change or impact sex drive, but mostly in a positive way.

Yes, gastric sleeve surgery can affect sex drive, often leading to an increase in libido for many individuals due to improved self-confidence, hormonal changes, increased energy levels, and better overall health. However, some may temporarily experience a decrease in sex drive during the initial recovery phase due to discomfort or adjustments in body image. Individual experiences can vary, so it's best to consult a doctor for specific concerns.

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