Everything You Should Know About Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure in which the stomach is surgically shrunk, only allowing a small amount of food to get into the stomach at a time before you begin to feel full. This only allows you to eat so much food and can help you lose weight quickly. This type of procedure is only for those that have a difficult time losing weight and are considered obese but are still healthy enough to go through this surgery. If you are considering gastric bypass surgery, read on for a few things you should know.
It Will Require An Overnight Stay
This surgery only takes a short amount of time, but you may still be required to stay in the hospital for recovery. You are also going to need home recovery time as well. This type of surgery can take some time to recover from, and although it's usually performed as laparoscope surgery, it is still major surgery. You aren't going to perform your normal routine for a few weeks at least. This means no lifting anything heavy, bending, or stretching, as these may all cause issues with your surgery. Be sure you have help while you're at the hospital having your procedure, and when you're back at home as well.
Your Diet Will Be Liquid To Start
After you have your surgery, your diet will be much different than before the surgery. Your diet will include all liquids to start, as you don't want anything too heavy or too filling that can cause a problem for your surgical procedure. After a few weeks, your diet will include soft foods, then solid foods after that. You need to follow your physician's directions on how to eat and how much. Not following the instructions precisely will end up causing your stomach and intestines to open back up.
You Need To Exercise To Help With Weight Loss
Weight loss from this surgery doesn't occur on its own. You'll lose some weight from the procedure, but you also need to exercise in order to lose all of your excess weight. Exercising will help improve your metabolism and boost your ability to lose weight. Once cleared by your physician, you need to start an exercise program that is approved by your physician.
If you are obese and aren't able to lose weight on your own, but you are overall healthy, you should talk to your physician about gastric bypass surgery to get the weight off.