Getting a gastric bypass surgery is a very serious step and one that should not be taken lightly. However, you have to look hard to find the right surgeon so that you can have the procedure done correctly and safely. There are steps that you can follow to find the right surgeon and the right type of procedure so that you have the best and safest results. In addition to finding the right combination of surgeon and surgery, you also have to be ready to find the right combination of diet and exercise to follow after the surgery is done.
A gastric bypass is not a magic wand and not a free pass. You cannot continue eating in the same way just because you have had this surgery. This surgery will not magically make you lose weight. You have to have make an effort to change your life and the way that you look at food.
Who is the Right Surgeon for your Gastric Bypass?
In the early days of the gastric bypass, there were only some surgeons in a few hospitals who offered the procedure at all. You could not pick and choose who did the surgery and there were not as many surgical options, either. Today it is far more common and is offered by more surgeons in many areas of the country. There are some surgeons who specialize in one type of surgery over the others. Some clinics will only perform one type of gastric bypass. If you do not know the different types of gastric bypass procedures, you will not be able to determine which surgeon is right for you. Do a little research before you set up a consultation so that you have working knowledge of the different procedures and techniques. Write down any questions or concerns you find while you are doing this research, so that you can ask the surgeon during your consultation.
Make sure that you talk to several surgeons before you make a choice, comparing the education, the surgical types and the bedside manner of the surgeons so that you find the one that you are most able to work with. Make sure that you keep in mind the realistic guidelines and that you are wary of any surgeon or clinic making outrageous claims that sound too good to be true.
While talking to the surgeon, make sure that you pay attention to his demeanor. Is he giving you his full attention and answering all of your questions? Did he offer information including brochures, DVDs or other media that showed you exactly what to expect? Were you welcomed when you came to the office, or did you feel as if you were little more than a problem or a bother? You would never take just the first appointment for just any hairdresser, so why would you be less choosy with a surgeon?
Discussing the Types of Gastric Bypass
The common denominator of the gastric bypass types is simple: it creates an alternate route for food that enters your mouth and then travels through your digestive system. In the various kinds of gastric bypass surgeries, the food still enters the mouth but does not go to the stomach or goes to a smaller stomach. In the most common gastric bypass type, the Roux en Y gastric bypass, the surgeon will make a pouch at the top part of the stomach bypassing the rest of the organ completely. The new pouch will hold around two ounces of food at a time at first, but will stretch slightly and will eventually hold around four ounces. There are additional gastric bypass types however, and some can be better for some patients, especially those who may need more guidance from their surgeon after the procedure is completed. The Lap Band surgery, for instance, has the patient come in for adjustments and check-ups frequently, making them more accountable.
There are also more experimental types of the procedure that are being tested, including one that involves putting a plastic tube in the throat which is thought to be safer because it is not invasive at all. This surgery is done by endoscope and may be approved for use in patients soon.
Are You Ready for What Happens After Gastric Bypass?
Your whole life will change after you have the gastric bypass of your choice. You will have to look at food and nutrition completely differently than you did before. You will not be able to eat and drink at the same time; it will be one or the other. After the gastric bypass, you will have to wait 30 minutes before or after your meal to have a drink of any kind. Immediately after the surgery, you will be restricted to liquids only, progressing to soft, pureed foods and then to foods with a little more texture. You will have to chew thoroughly and make sure that you are eating slowly. Your new stomach will only hold a small amount, but you have to give your brain time to become accustomed to this.
You will also be adding in vitamins and nutritional supplements to make sure that you are getting everything that you need in your daily diet. Protica offers a full line of protein-based supplements and meal replacements that can help you achieve your health needs without going over the size restriction. Isometric, the world’s smallest and most balanced meal replacement, is two servings of fruits and vegetables in just over three ounces. In addition, it has 10 grams of fiber, 6 grams of essential fatty acids and 27 vitamins and minerals. Fruitasia, another product line, is made of 100% fruit and vegetable and comes in four flavors.
In addition, Profect also offers protein candies including Protein Twist and Protein Taffy.
Additional Considerations after Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass tends to result in dramatic weight loss which may be very rapid. In some people, this can result in huge amounts of loose skin that may require a secondary surgery to take care of it. This loose skin can be a problem, and can even be painful in some cases, but is always a major problem for the self esteem. Imagine working hard to lose all of the weight and then finding yourself stuck with loose flaps of skin that hang from your arms and your waistline anyway. After surgery to take care of the skin, you might be shocked that you have lost 20 pounds more after it is removed.
Protica Research (Protica, Inc.) specializes in the development of Capsulized Foods. Protica manufactures Profect, IsoMetric, Pediagro, Fruitasia and over 100 other brands, including Medicare-approved, whey protein liquid for renal care patients. You can learn more at Protica Research – Copyright