Diet Blog

A gastric bypass operation is one of the many surgeries that are performed on the very obese. With this surgery, the body’s intake of calories gets reduced in two ways. The first is because the stomach gets smaller after the surgery, thus prompting you to feel full faster and to reduce your food intake. The second way is that part of the stomach and small intestines get bypassed to lead to absorption of fewer calories.

Are you eligible for gastric bypass operation?

Before you have a gastric bypass operation done, the doctor will do a psychological evaluation to determine if you can adapt a healthier lifestyle. It is important to adapt to major lifestyle changes to experience the benefits of the operation and if you cannot make these changes, you will be considered ineligible for the operation.

However don’t think that gastric bypass surgery is a short cut remedy for obesity. This is an operation that has risks and complications. There has to be a commitment to diet and exercise else complications from the surgery tend to develop. Gastric bypass surgery is suggested for people having a BMI of 40 or more or for people at least 100 pounds over their recommended weight.

Gastric bypass operation is an operation that can also be performed using a laparoscope. With laparoscopy, smaller incisions are used which eliminates the possibility of large scars and hernias developing after the surgery. Here the surgeon just makes small incisions and the laparoscope in the abdomen and passes slender surgical instruments through these openings. He then watches through a lens and video and performs the surgery.

Recovery from Gastric Bypass

You can return home after 4-5 days once you can move without discomfort, eat liquid food without vomiting and don’t need pain medication through injections. You will have to maintain a liquid food diet for a few weeks after surgery as the new stomach only holds a tablespoon of food. This pouch expands over time, but can only hold a cup of chewed food when compared to the quart of food a normal stomach can hold.

You may be prescribed supplements to make up for replacement of nutrients. You slowly have to introduce solid food, where it is important that you chew the food thoroughly before swallowing. As the new stomach may not be able to handle both solid and liquid foods, separate them with a gap of at least 30 minutes while sipping whatever you drink. It will not be possible for you to eat too much fat, sugar, fast food meals, high fat foods, high sugar foods, deep fried foods and alcohol.

The risks of gastric bypass operation

The risks associated with gastric bypass surgery includes infections, bleeding, gallstones, vomiting, iron deficiencies, gastritis and calcium deficiency. These symptoms can be lessened if you follow the guidelines laid down by the dietitian, especially in the first two months.