After Gastric Bypass Surgery
The recovery period after gastric bypass surgery can be long and requires a significant lifestyle change. Within two days after surgery, patients typically transition from a small frequent diet of liquids, pureed then soft foods over the course of eight weeks. This is also when patients realize their greatest weight loss.
Your lifestyle after gastric bypass surgery will change dramatically with respect to your diet. Because of the reduced size of the stomach your meals will be smaller. Eating larger meals will not only be uncomfortable but may stretch the smaller stomach out over time diminishing the effect of the surgery. There are also foods you should avoid. Carbonated beverages, for instance, can fill the stomach with air and cause pain. Fatty and sugary foods can cause something known as dumping syndrome, in which the food is passed through the digestive system too quickly causing diarrhea, nausea and vomiting. Trial and error may be necessary to determine safe foods.
Your dietary focus must shift toward nutrition. Eating smaller meals means consuming fewer calories so the food you do eat must be packed with nutrition. This is also important because much of the small intestine, which absorbs nutrients, is bypassed during the surgery. Oftentimes in addition to eating nutritious meals, vitamin and mineral supplements are required. Exercise is recommended to help counter muscle loss from possible protein deficiencies.
Because gastric bypass surgery requires such a significant lifestyle change, it is important to have a support system in place. Patients typically lose about 70 percent of their weight within the first two years post-surgery. However, weight loss levels off oftentimes and people may even gain back up to ten percent of their weight after this time. More commonly, doctors require follow up visits past two years post surgery. There are also support groups for weight loss surgery patients. Having the support of friends and family is also critical to long term success.