The first week after a sleeve gastrectomy is the hardest stretch of the whole recovery. Knowing what's coming makes it considerably easier, because most of what happens is normal and temporary — it just doesn't feel that way at the time.

Here are the four things almost everyone runs into.

1. Pain

The gastric sleeve is minimally invasive, but it is still major surgery. Expect moderate pain and expect to need a couple of weeks before you feel like yourself.