How do the lives of people change who have gastric bypass, before and after surgery?

Before surgery there are have no dietary restrictions. Thus, if you are considering weight loss surgery you must be prepared to replace many unhealthy habits with healthful ones.

Weight loss surgery is usually highly successful, but is not an easy quick-fix for weight loss. It may take several weeks to recover from the surgical procedure itself. Then, a strict diet must be followed for six to eight weeks post-operatively. Then patients must make drastic changes in their diet and nutrition. Thus, the mindset of individuals having gastric bypass, before and after, needs to be vastly different.

One of the hardest things for gastric bypass before and after surgery is the new dietary restrictions, especially if you made poor food choices prior to surgery. Your diet for the first eight to 12 weeks post surgery will consist largely of small volumes of liquid, pureed and soft foods. After this time, you may begin to eat more normal foods but in much smaller portions that you are likely accustomed to eating. Because meals must be small you are consuming fewer calories so your food must be packed with nutrition. Taking vitamin and mineral supplements can be used to augment your diet. Fatty and fried as well as excessively sweet foods will need to be eliminated from your diet as they can cause discomfort, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Avoiding alcohol for the first year post-surgery is important, as is eliminating carbonated beverages. You will need to introduce foods slowly into your diet to eliminate any ones you cannot tolerate.

Initiating an exercise program after gastric bypass surgery contributes greatly to overall weight loss and maintenance of muscle mass during a restrictive diet. Typically obese people are restricted from a rigorous exercise program either physically or emotionally, so beginning one will represent a significant change.

Life after surgery and making the changes necessary to experience weight loss is highly rewarding. Living a healthier life, for many, is worth all the effort.

Gastric bypass surgery is only one type of weight loss surgery available for obese individuals wishing to lose weight. In this procedure, a small portion of the stomach is made into a pouch and connected to the small intestine and ‘bypassing’ most of the stomach.

To qualify for being a potential candidate for this surgery you must have been overweight for at least five years, be an adult under 65 years of age, and have a body mass index of 40 or greater. If you suffer from weight related illnesses such as type II diabetes or high blood pressure, your body mass index needs to be at least 30. You must also demonstrate that you have been unsuccessful at losing weight using more conventional methods.

To be successful, gastric bypass surgery must be accompanied by a complete lifestyle change. Overeating is no longer an option and eating small nutritious meals and taking vitamin and mineral supplements is critical to avoiding nutritional deficits. Certain foods (e.g., fatty, sweet, spicy, fiber-filled) and beverages (e.g., alcohol and carbonated drinks) must be eaten in moderation or completely eliminated from your diet. Initiating an exercise program is important in promoting weight loss.

Patients usually lose between 60 and 70 percent of their excess weight within the first year after surgery. The speed and amount of your weight loss depends on your previous weight as well as how well you adhere to dietary restrictions and exercise requirements. After approximately 18 months weight loss typically levels off. At this time the dedication of many people to their new lifestyle begins to falter, emphasizing the importance of a support system and a strong commitment to lifelong change.

While most gastric bypass surgeries are highly successful the procedure is not without risks. In-hospital complications include mortality, bleeding, infection, blood clots and respiratory distress. Post-operative risks include ulcers, gallstones, bowel obstructions, hernia and leaking at the incision site. Finding an experienced doctor and closely following his instructions will help minimize the risks while maximizing success.