During gastric bypass surgery, Dr. Dyslin reconfigures your stomach into a pouch — essentially reducing its size. Your new, smaller stomach is then connected to the middle portion of the small intestine.
You lose weight because your stomach has a smaller capacity and bypasses the upper part of the small intestine, where calories and some nutrients are absorbed.
Surgery is usually a final strategy for weight loss when conventional diet, behavior changes, medications, and pre-packaged meals fail. Weight-loss surgery is not easy and requires recovery.
Before you undergo the laparoscopic or even robotic surgery, know what to expect during this recovery period and what will become your new normal.
Immediate recovery
Usually, gastric bypass surgery is performed laparoscopically, using a micro camera and tiny instruments inserted into very small incisions. The benefit of laparoscopic surgery is that you usually have a shorter recovery time.
If you do require open surgery, Dr. Dyslin makes larger incisions, which requires a longer healing time. Both laparoscopic surgery and open surgery are performed under general anesthesia.
Most people spend one to two days in the hospital following gastric bypass surgery. This time is necessary to ensure you recover from the anesthesia and that you don’t have any complications as a result of the operation. In the vast majority of cases, men and women have no serious problems following gastric bypass.
Infections at the sites of incisions from surgery can develop within seven to 10 days of the procedure. You may have warmth, pain, redness, or pus drainage at the sites. In some cases, you may also run a fever. You’ll need antibiotics and possible follow-up surgery if you develop an infection.
Walk, walk, walk
Following surgery, you won’t be expected to return to normal activities or exercise for at least a month. But, you will be encouraged to walk soon after surgery — even while still in the hospital — to discourage blood clots and other complications.
Once you go home, it’s important to stay mobile with gentle walking, too.
Constipation
It’s normal to have some changes in your stool habits following gastric bypass surgery; you may not have a bowel movement every day.
Constipation is a common side effect of gastric bypass surgery and is usually temporary. Constipation means you have hard bowel movements less than once per week.
You experience constipation because your intake of food and beverages has reduced due to your stomach’s new, smaller capacity. Make sure you still consume plenty of fiber and drink ample water to make your system move smoothly.
Narcotic pain relievers prescribed immediately following surgery also cause constipation. If you’re taking an iron supplement or other medications, these too may be responsible.
Gallstones
When you lose weight quickly, gallstones can result. As many as 50% of patients who undergo gastric bypass develop them.
Usually, the gallstones are harmless but in 15-25% of people, surgery to remove the gallbladder is necessary after gastric bypass surgery.
Dumping syndrome
After gastric bypass surgery, your body doesn’t have tolerance for high-sugar meals. If you consume soda, candy, or fruit juice, you may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea and cramping as the food rushes through the digestive tract and stomach.
Nutrient absorption changes
The shortened intestine means some nutrients may not be absorbed as readily as they were in the past. People who undergo gastric bypass sometimes fall short on iron, folate, calcium, vitamin D, and vitamin B-12.
Ask the team at David Dyslin Bariatrics about supplements to support your intake of these essential nutrients.
Lifestyle changes
Weight-loss surgery is a dramatic life move. The procedure affects how you eat, move, and feel. You’ll get the support necessary at David Dyslin Bariatrics, including learning how to commit to smaller, more frequent meals, follow a more nutritious meal plan, and exercise regularly.
These steps support your long-term success and recovery from gastric bypass.