Weight Gain after Gastric Bypass Surgery

GASTRIC BYPASS: NOT ALWAYS A PERMINANT SOLUTION
Gastric bypass surgery is viewed by many as a cure-all type of procedure -- a magical operation that will instantly make a person thin, curb his or her appetite and give the individual the gift of instant fitness. This is most certainly not the case, however. All gastric bypass does is shrink the size of the stomach so that it will, ideally, feel full faster. It is still up to the patient to ultimately follow a health diet and exercise plan.

Does this mean that weight gain after gastric bypass surgery is possible? Absolutely. Of course, due to the surgery and the ensuing dietary restrictions, patients will notice an initial rapid loss of excess pounds. According to experts, the average patient will lose at least 70% of his or her excess weight within the first two-years following the surgery. After that point and up to the five-year mark, many patients will regain up to 10% of that weight. Clearly, individual results will vary, and a lot of it has to do with each individual patient's willingness to follow a doctor-prescribed diet and exercise program.

One major factor in weight gain following gastric bypass surgery is the status of the pouch. If the pouch does not remain anatomically intact, the stomach will take longer to fill up and thus appetite will increase. What causes the pouch to come apart? Often times, it is due to overeating on the part of the patient, or it could be the body is rejecting the staples and attempting to destroy them. It is also essential that an individual who has undergone such weight reduction surgery return to his or her doctor for important instructions on how properly live with and utilize the gastric pouch created by the surgery. Remember that certain food types will be off limits, and all food intake will have to be limited in order to maintain the pouch.

What is the best type of diet to maintain following gastric bypass surgery? Doctors recommend three meals per day of about 10-12 ounces in size, spaced about five hours apart. Protein and vegetable intake is essential, and some experts stress that the meat should be cut into tiny pieces and that the vegetables should be raw or only slightly cooked. Doctors advise against drinking any liquids for up to two hours following a meal, and then drinking a considerable amount of water starting roughly two hours before the next scheduled meal. This is called fluid loading, or rehydration, and is done to help prevent in-between meal snacking.