has anyone had...............

[mnko]

Has anyone had a gastric bypass surgery? if so can you tell me what it entails, not just the operation but the before care and aftercare please.
many thanks

[Eve]

Before...

Eat sensibly - as if you had already had the surgery. Try to limit your total intake of calories by 25%. Do not put yourself on a fad diet or go on an eating binge. Start increasing your physical activity by walking, biking, swimming or other activity you enjoy and would be likely to do after surgery and for the rest of your life.

Having some weight loss before the gastric bypass surgery is helpful. Weight is usually lost from the abdominal organs first. Losing weight can make the difference between having a laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure or more open, traditional gastric bypass surgery.

You should see your primary care physician for a preoperative checkup. Your surgeon may also request other specific consultations or examinations.

Before your gastric bypass surgery date, you should have an appointment, during which time, you should bring up any questions or concerns. You will be given specific instructions about lab work, where and when to arrive, medications and appointments after your surgery.

Two Days before Gastric Bypass Surgery

For the 48 hours before your gastric bypass surgery, you will be on a liquid diet. This includes water, clear juice, tea, coffee, lollies, gelatin and broth. This is the same diet that you will follow immediately after surgery.

Any heart and blood pressure medications should be taken as usual until the night before your surgery. Other medications require specific recommendations from your doctor. Make sure that you let them know when you scheduled your surgery if you are on any blood thinning agents, such as aspirin or ibuprofen.


The Day before Gastric Bypass Surgery
You should continue your clear liquid diet the day before surgery. If you have tendency to be constipated, at noon the day before surgery, you mayneed to take a gentle, over-the-counter laxative that cleanses your

[Eve]

After midnight the evening before your gastric bypass surgery, you may not eat or drink anything (not even water) unless told otherwise by your doctor. If you have any questions about your instructions before surgery, contact them.

During...

You will be given a general anaesthesia by injection and inhalation with an airway tube placed in the windpipe.
An incision is made in the abdomen.
The abdominal muscles are divided and the abdominal lining, ("peritoneum") is opened.
The upper stomach is stapled across to isolate and close a section of stomach. This decreases the remaining stomach capacity.
The peritoneum is closed and abdominal muscles are sewn together.
The skin is closed with sutures or clips, which usually can be removed about one week after the operation.

After...

This surgery usually involves a 4- to 6-day hospital stay (2 to 3 days for a laparoscopic approach). Most people can return to their normal activities within 3 to 5 weeks.

Gastric bypass surgeries may cause dumping syndrome. This occurs when food moves too quickly through the stomach and intestines. It causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. These symptoms are made worse by eating highly refined, high-calorie foods (like sweets). In some cases you may become so weak that you have to lie down until the symptoms pass.

Muscular weakness, lack of energy and depression can also follow.

[Eve]

After gastric bypass surgery, you will need to train yourself to chew your food thoroughly, eat slowly and not overeat. While you need to have enough fluids to avoid dehydration and constipation, you should drink liquids between meals rather than at meals because there is less room available now in your stomach. Eventually, the pouch will expand to allow four to five ounces to be eaten at a meal.

Ulcers, extra stomach acid or heartburn may result from having the contents of the stomach flow into the esophagus or from swelling of the pouch. You will need to:

Avoid citrus juices, which have a high acid content

Avoid aspirin-type medications.

Take multivitamins to prevent vitamin or mineral deficiencies that can occur if you lose weight too quickly
In addition, you may develop intolerances for certain types of food, especially red meat, milk, high fiber foods or very sweet or sugary foods.

[warpig1]

mnko, thats not what they recommened is it?

[funkymoped]

dont know where you got that answer from Jenna, but i gotta offer you 10/10 for effort and a golden star for your hard work !!
:-)

[crete]

no mnko i dont know of anyone who has had the surgery , but im glad to see you around the site and hope you are well and getting support.

[willa]

Hello, mnko. My husband's niece had the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery 3 years ago. (There are various forms of the surgery, including the Lap-band and Duodenal Switch.) While researching her options, she found the following site very helpful:

http://www.obesityhelp.com/

While not evident from the name, the site is 99.5% geared toward gastric bypass surgery and those seeking info for the before, during and after stages. It's very comprehensive, and its members are very helpful. I explored it a few years ago when I was contemplating the surgery. You may want to check it out. Good luck!