What to Expect After a Gastric Bypass Surgery

The recovery period after the gastric bypass surgery requires commitment to be successful. After the operation, patients are only allowed to drink liquids and they are also required to undergo upper gastrointestinal tract radiography, commonly referred to as an Upper GI in order to check for possible complications or problems after the surgery. If all is well, patients will be discharged from the hospital within three days of the surgery. It will take some time before the patient will be allowed to eat solid foods and they are usually allowed minimal amount of servings to avoid gaining weight. People who have undergone this type of surgical procedure should learn to control their eating habits. Proper vitamin supplementation, following the post-operation guidelines and maintaining proper eating habits are important factors to consider after the surgery in order to obtain better results.

After the surgery, patients should have regular checkups with the doctor. Your bariatric surgeon will devise a schedule of doctor’s appointments that is appropriate based upon your situation.

It is satisfying as you lose excess pounds that you have always wanted to lose but there are also side effects that you may have to deal with. These side effects are quite similar to when you have flu-you will feel cold, achy and tired. Some experience hair thinning or worse, hair loss. You might also experience mood swings. Because you are losing excess pounds, there could be loose skin.

Walking will be recommended as soon as you are able. Walking around after any surgery is a key factor in recovering, but strenuous exercise will need to wait until your doctor clears you for such activity.

What about weight loss? You must be asking this question since this is the main reason why you had the surgery in the first place. Ideally, you will lose about two thirds of your excess body weight in the first year. Two years after the surgery, many patients lose an average of 70-80% of their total excess body weight. However, a small subset of patients who go through gastric bypass surgery do not lose significant weight because of their failure to follow a lower calorie diet. That’s why it is essential that you commit to changing your lifestyle or this surgery will not be as effective.

Within a few weeks, you can go back to work or your daily routine. It is a life changing event to undergo gastric bypass surgery. It is something that you need to prepare for and be aware of what to expect. When you have tried traditional means of losing weight but have not succeeded, then gastric bypass surgery would be a good option. It is not for everyone, but those who undergo this procedure experience changed lives and freedom from excess weight.

Obese individuals who have undergone a gastric bypass in Texas have resolved many of their health problems and are now looking forward to a longer, healthier life. How can you improve your health and extend your life with a gastric bypass in Texas? Talk to your doctor today.