How a Gastric Bypass Can Help You Lose Weight and Keep it Off

Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical process which reduces the size and shape of your stomach to enable weight loss more rapidly, with lasting weight reduction benefits.

Surgery may involve traditional large incisions or laparoscopically, which involves inserting instruments through smaller incisions in your abdomen. You will be administered general anesthesia during this process.

Your surgeon will create a pouch the size of an egg by stapling off the top portion of your stomach, and attaching it directly to part of the small intestine called the Roux limb in an “Y” configuration. Food passes directly from this new stomach pouch into the small intestine bypassing both stomach and upper portions of small intestine, thus decreasing fat absorption rates as well as possible nutritional deficiencies.

After surgery, you should anticipate some discomfort; this should pass as you become stronger and heal. Furthermore, hourly breathing and leg exercises will promote circulation and strength.

Undergoing surgery takes less than two hours; however, you will require at least one night in hospital in order to fully recuperate after the procedure. Painkillers will be provided during this time as necessary.

After surgery, you will likely be restricted to liquids for some time after which you may begin eating soft foods such as pureed vegetables and fruit – making sure to chew carefully before swallowing! Over time you should progress to regular foods like meat and fish.

Your doctor will recommend eating slowly and in smaller portions to avoid problems such as dumping syndrome – in which fatty and sugary foods move too quickly from your small bowel into your large bowel causing nausea and vomiting as well as weight loss. Dumping syndrome should be taken seriously to prevent its occurrence.

People undergoing gastric bypass surgery must take nutritional supplements following their procedure, while also avoiding high-fat and salty foods to avoid constipation. Ensuring you get enough fiber from vegetables, whole grains, and various fruits is vital in order to maintain healthy bowel function.

Patients should try to avoid eating at fast food restaurants; if they must go out to eat, grilled chicken and fish over greasy burgers and fries is recommended. Furthermore, they should refrain from drinking caffeinated beverages like coffee and soda as these contain salty compounds which could potentially worsen symptoms.

People undergoing gastric bypass surgery may develop peptic ulcers. These ulcers may appear when their stomach pouch stretches, or when their pyloric valve (an opening between their stomach and small intestine) malfunctions and allows bile backwash into their stomach and damage its lining, leading to symptoms like indigestion, bloating and abdominal pain as well as increasing risk for gallstones.