About Weight Loss Surgery

What to Expect After Gastric Bypass Surgery

If you are trying to loose weight, choosing gastric bypass surgery is a big, bold step. In the first year after your surgery, statistics predict that you will loose 70% to 80% of your extra body weight, which can open up a lot of new opportunities. However, once you have had your surgery, keep in mind that there is still a lot of work to be done. Here is some basic information concerning what you can expect after your gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric Bypass Diet
One of the most difficult things for patients recovering from gastric bypass surgery is training themselves to eat very small amounts. Your diet during your first week after the surgery is strictly liquids-only. After two weeks you will be able to move on to soft foods that require minimum chewing, and after three, most foods will be acceptable in very small amounts. Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of your stomach so that it can hold about two tablespoons worth of food. You can expect your stomach to expand in the months after surgery to a size equivalent to about one cup of food, which still is not very much. Doctors recommend sipping liquids all day, except during meals (otherwise, there won’t be enough room in your stomach for the food), and to avoid snacking; eating small amounts of food all day long may actually cause you to gain weight!

Gastric Bypass Complications
Gastric bypass surgery should not be taken lightly. Expect many check ups with your doctor after the surgery to make sure your body is recovering. Overeating is the cause of most post-bypass complications, causing nausea and vomiting. Make sure you chew your food carefully, until it is mush, and that you cut your food into pea-sizes. Eating too much, or eating the wrong foods can cause ulcers, heartburn, even a ruptured stomach. Exercise is equally important, and you should be able to start doing so two weeks after your surgery. While this may sound daunting, gastric bypass surgery has an 80% success rate, which means that by following your doctor’s instructions, you are sure to be healthy in no time!

See these sites for more information on gastric bypass surgery:
Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass Diet