Gastric bypass surgery
can decrease the risk of early death in obese and morbidly obese patients. However, the procedures are not without risks of their own. Although complications are rare compared to other types of surgeries, they can be very serious.
If you are (or will be) recovering from gastric bypass or other bariatric surgery, read below to learn about proper post-op care.
Instructions
1. Immediately after the operation, follow your doctor's instructions for bed rest. For a period of time (usually a few days), you need to stay reclined so that the staples and/or band does not dislodge.
2. Next, when you are allowed out of bed, start walking moderately several times a week. Moderate exercise conditions the body and helps you heal faster.
3. During first week after gastric bypass surgery, stick to the liquid diet that your doctors and nurses prescribe. The liquid diet is to help you avoid vomiting while you heal. The force of vomiting and dry heaves can be enough to break your stitches and staples, and tear the delicate stomach tissue.
4. After you graduate from the liquid diet, follow the next set of dietary instructions to the T. Improper diet is one of the leading causes of post operative complications with gastric bypass surgery. At this point you can eat pureed foods, but only healthy foods. Nothing sugary, starchy, dairy, or fatty.
5. After completing the puree diet stage, begin eating small meals at regular intervals. Since your stomach capacity is greatly reduced, you will feel full much more quickly than before the surgery. Learn what your limit is, and stop eating BEFORE the feeling of fullness comes over you.
Again, you can no longer eat as you ate before having the operation. Discuss the changes with your family so that they can help you stay on track. You must stick to the new diet for the rest of your life.
6. Take sips of water frequently during the day. Since your stomach is smaller, it not only holds less food, but also less liquid. Thus, you may feel thirstier and more dehydrated.
7. Never do strenuous abdominal exercises without first consulting with your doctor or surgeon. It may take up to a year for the stomach to heal to the point where you can lift heavy objects, or hang suspended. The risk of herniation is high for patients who don't take it easy.
8. Don't be alarmed by the development of gall stones. About 30%-40% of patients develop stones in the years following gastric surgery.
9. Make appointments for frequent check-ups in the years following your surgery, at least once every six months. Let your doctor know right away if you develop new pains, or vomiting. Detecting problems early will prevent more serious complications from arising.
