What to expect after bariatric surgery?

What to expect after bariatric surgery?

Expected weight loss

Most individuals have fairly rapid weight loss in the first 3 to 6 months following surgery; the greatest weight loss occurs in the first 3 months. Most studies suggest that with gastric bypass surgery, patients lose an average of 65% to 80% of their excess weight in the first 12 to 18 months after the procedure. With the gastric band, patients lose an average of 41% to 54% of their excess weight.

Most patients keep off at least half their excess weight over 5 to 15 years. But even when patients do regain some weight, they usually are at a healthier weight long after surgery than they were before surgery.

Short-term eating changes

In weight-loss surgery, the stomach is reduced to a small pouch that limits how much food you can eat at one time; the result is that you feel fuller sooner. The pouch starts off very small but stretches over time:

Even at its larger capacity, however, the pouch is still much smaller than the stomach was before surgery, helping you feel satisfied with much less food.

Eating for long-term success

Bariatric surgery doesn’t ensure long-term success. It can be a tremendous support in helping you—but ultimately, you must commit to eating healthier for the rest of your life.

1.    To maximize your weight loss after surgery and keep it off, you should expect to follow these guidelines:

2.    Eat only three small meals a day. Do not snack between meals

3.    Stop eating and drinking when you feel full

4.    Take daily supplements: a multivitamin, vitamin B12, and calcium

5.    Make protein-rich foods (eggs, cheese, fish, poultry) the main part of your diet

6.    Avoid very sweet, high-sugar foods. These can lead to heart palpitations, abdominal pain, diarrhea

7.    Drink small amounts of liquid, preferably water, throughout the day

8.    Minimize alcohol intake

Type 2 diabetes management

Any amount of weight loss after surgery will help with your type 2 diabetes management. For some patients, their diabetes completely resolves after losing weight from bariatric surgery.

*Note that the results and guidelines on this page pertain specifically to gastric bypass surgery; results for gastric band and other procedures may differ.

(S: bariatrics4diabetes)