After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Post-Operative Weightloss Surgery Solutions

Candidates for gastric bypass surgery must make many ongoing lifestyle changes both before the procedure and after it in order to ensure the best possible results. The Barnes Bariatrics team of experienced Registered Dietitians, Behavioral Health specialists, as well as a friendly and compassionate staff help patients adjust to their new healthier lifestyle. Barnes Bariatric is committed to high-quality patient care and attention.

Gastric Bypass Recovery

After you gastric bypass surgery you will be given instructions that will help ensure a swift recovery. Once you return home, it is important that you engage in light physical activity such as walking or climbing stairs. These simple activities may seem hard at first because of low energy levels, but as time passes, tolerance for activities will return to normal and improve dramatically as you lose weight. Patients are able to return to work and their normal routine approximately two to three weeks after the operation. Dr. Barnes and his staff remain dedicated to making sure you lose weight and keep it off.

Post-Operative Care

You are asked to return for routine follow-up exams periodically during the first year after your surgery and then annually. These visits are required so that our medical team can monitor your post-operative health and detect any complications that could result in serious health problems. Our practice also has a team of specially trained staff that helps you adjust to your new healthy lifestyle after weight loss surgery. We offer a variety of nutritional and behavioral counseling services to make sure you stay on track to achieve your weight loss goal. Dr. Gregory Barnes and his staff help you develop healthy and permanent diet and exercise plans so that you can attain the slimmer, healthier body you desire.

Expected Weight Loss

After Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, most patients can expect to lose 75-80% percent of their excess body weight within 18 months after surgery. Studies show that most patients are able to maintain an average of 60 percent of their weight loss ten years after surgery. Your results will vary based on how closely you continue to follow recommended lifestyle changes.

Although weight loss is the primary benefit of gastric bypass surgery, patients also benefit from a reduced risk for developing severe medical conditions related to morbid obesity, including type 2 Diabetes, Sleep Apnea, Hypertension (High Blood Pressure), Heart Disease, and Stroke. If you already suffer from obesity-related health problems, weight loss surgery may help reduce or eliminate these conditions. Studies have shown approximately 96 percent of obesity-related diseases can be improved or eliminated through bariatric surgery.

Additional benefits include:

Less stress to the lower back and joints

Increased self-esteem

Improved cardiovascular health and overall fitness

Overall healthier lifestyle

Lifelong Diet Guidelines After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is a state of the art procedure that has the potential to give you a new lease on life. Treatment does not stop after the procedure, it will continue for the rest of your life. You must be committed to making the diet and exercise changes necessary to maintain weight loss results. You will meet with a Dietitian before and after surgery to help you make healthy and educated food choices and adopt new eating habits.

Since the stomach is much smaller in size, the amount of food you can consume after bariatric surgery is very limited. Certain types of foods that were tolerated easily before surgery may now cause discomfort. Therefore, it is important for you to carefully follow the recommended diet guidelines and continue to follow them after gastric bypass surgery. The following dietary changes are recommended after gastric bypass surgery:

Eat Small Amounts of Food

The stomach can only hold two ounces food immediately after surgery. Overeating can cause pain and discomfort as well as nausea and vomiting. Most patients experience a sense of fullness and have very little signs of hunger after surgery which makes eating small portions much easier.

Chew All Food Thoroughly

Large pieces of food can block the very small opening to the intestine. If the food cannot leave the stomach, patients can experience abdominal pain and vomiting. You should take small bites (size of a fingertip) and chew your food completely before swallowing.

Consume Foods and Liquids Slowly and Carefully

Gastric bypass surgery patients should avoid eating too fast, or eating foods high in refined sugar, or fats, because doing so can cause nausea, diarrhea, sweating, and dizziness, otherwise known as dumping syndrome. This occurs when food and liquids enter the small intestine too quickly. Patients should take at least 30 minutes to eat their meals.

Drink Liquids Only Between Meals

Having liquids with your meals can flush food through the pouch, allowing a person to eat more than is recommended. Additionally, fluids can push food into the intestines too quickly. We recommend that you do not eat and drink at the same time. Wait at least 30 minutes before and after eating to consume any liquids. The goal is to consume 48 to 64 ounces of water each day.

Take Vitamin and Mineral Supplements

Gastric bypass surgery can cause nutrient deficiencies if supplements are not taken as directed. Deficiencies can occur because food bypasses parts of the lower stomach and small intestine where certain nutrients are absorbed. It is important that patients take vitamin and mineral supplements (designed specifically for gastric bypass) daily to promote optimal health.

These are just some of the diet changes that are recommended. Please visit our frequently asked questions section for more information about dietary changes including specific food limitations following gastric bypass surgery.

Nutrition Education

Nutrition education is provided by our in house Dietitian before and after surgery. Metabolic testing is available and will provide individualized information that can be used to develop personalized meal plans.

Post-Operative Counseling

Gastric Bypass is a life changing surgery that requires significant lifestyle changes and most patients benefit from having extra moral support from friends, family or a professional. We encourage our patients to use post op psychological counseling as a part of their treatment plan to address concerns regarding lifestyle and emotional eating patterns.