Because Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery requires that a portion of the stomach and intestine be bypassed, you will need additional recovery time to heal and adjust. Usually, you wont be allowed to eat for a day or two. Once your stomach heals, youll begin a 12-week diet that gradually introduces regular foods, starting with liquids.
Since your stomach is now the size of a walnut, youll need to eat several small meals during the day. If you eat too much or eat too fast, you may end up vomiting. This will eventually pass and the amount you can eat will increase, but it will never be at the levels it was before your bariatric surgery.
Following Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, your body will receive less nutrients because youre eating less and absorbing fewer vitamins and minerals. As a result, you may notice some side effects of Roux-en-Y, including feeling achy, experiencing mood swings, feeling tired, or noticing dry skin and even hair loss. This is normal and should go away after three to six months.
You will experience a steady loss of weight over the next two years, 50 percent to 60 percent on average, if you follow a sensible diet, exercise regularly, and adopt a healthier lifestyle.
What does a healthier lifestyle entail?
First, youll need to break some of your eating habits, including what is commonly known as binge eating. After your surgery to treat obesity, you wont be able to eat like you used to. For many people suffering from morbid obesity, this can be a challenge.
Your doctor will also let you know that you need to take vitamin supplements to prevent malnutrition following your bariatric procedure. Without these supplements, you could experience loss of muscle tone and bone disease.
Exercise is an essential part of any weight loss program and you will need to learn to become more active following your Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery.
Because youve lived a life of obesity, you may find some of these changes difficult to adopt. Thats why its important to have the right mindset, before and after your weight loss surgery. While Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can help you achieve substantial weight loss, its not magic. It does require hard work, dedication and a commitment to making permanent changes in your life.
