Gastric Bypass FAQ
1. How long does the surgery take?
The surgery takes approximately two to three hours, but this depends on each individual patient.
2. How long am I in the hospital?
For laparoscopic gastric bypass, most patients are in the hospital two to three days. For open gastric bypass, patients are in the hospital 3-4 days.
3. How long will I be out of work?
Most patients return to work two to four weeks after surgery. You and your doctor will decide the optimal time to return to work based on your profession and post operative guidelines.
4. What are some of the possible complications of gastric bypass?
Any surgery can involve complications such as infection, blood clots, or respiratory complications. Some additional complications specific to gastric bypass surgery include leak, obstruction, and ruptured pouch, which are all extremely rare. Complications can be serious or simply annoying, but they can be managed with early detection and quality care.
5. What is life like after the surgery?
Patients must stick to strict dietary guidelines for several weeks following the surgery. In addition, life style changes must be made permanently. We recommend that you participate in support groups where you can talk to others that have undergone gastric bypass for emotional and practical support.
6. Is the remaining stomach that is separated from the pouch removed during surgery?
It is not necessary to remove the “remnant stomach” during gastric bypass surgery. The “remnant stomach” will shrink over time due to the fact it is not being stretched out with food and liquids. However, it still has a purpose in that it produces stomach acid and receives enzymes from the liver and pancreas to aid in the digestive process in the intestines.
7. What follow-up and support are available to gastric bypass patients after surgery?
There are required follow-up appointments after your surgery at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, and then yearly. We offer 2 support groups per month that are highly recommended as well as a number of resources available to you including bariatric coordinators, a bariatric dietician, an exercise physiologist, and bariatric psychologists.
8. Can I attempt to get pregnant after bypass surgery?
Patients are advised to not get pregnant for a year to a year and a half after surgery. By waiting, you are assured better nutrition which is important for the health of you and your baby.
9. Is gastric bypass surgery reversible?
Gastric bypass can be reversed, however the reversal surgery is more complicated than the initial surgery. Reversals of gastric bypass surgery are rare and are done on patients who experience long term nutrition problems.
10. Can the stomach stretch back to its normal size after gastric bypass surgery?
The stomach never stretches back to its normal size of 2 liters, however, the stomach is an elastic muscle and it is expected to stretch over a period of 1-2 years to accommodate a meal of 6-7 ounces 3 times per day.
11. Will the staples used in my surgery interfere with imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs?
The staples used for your gastric bypass surgery are made of a special material that will not interfere with CT scans and MRIs.
12. What is dumping syndrome?
With gastric bypass surgery, food moves from the new pouch directly into the small intestines bypassing the first part of the digestive breakdown in the duodenum. Foods high in fat and sugar content enter at a high concentration that the body is not use to. Dumping syndrome is the result. It is characterized by very unpleasant feelings of nausea, cramping, sweating, and abdominal pain. This eventually subsides over a period of approximately 30 minutes. By monitoring your intake of sugar and fat, you can avoid dumping. Eating and drinking at the same time or eating too much can also produce dumping.
13. Will I ever be able to drink alcohol again?
It is recommended that alcohol be avoided permanently after gastric bypass surgery. It may not be well tolerated and the results of the alcohol may affect you quickly.
14. Is it possible to gain my weight back after gastric bypass surgery?
Weight loss surgery is merely a tool that helps you lose weight. In order to be successful, you must make a commitment to healthy lifestyle changes for life. Otherwise it is possible to gain your weight back by out-eating the surgery and resorting to old habits.
15. Will I need plastic surgery after my weight loss?
Extreme weight loss can result in large amounts of excess skin. Some patients choose to have plastic surgery to remove the extra skin.
16. Which weight loss surgery is considered the best?
Gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band surgery have their advantages and disadvantages. Your surgeon will work with you to determine the best surgery for you.
17. How much weight should I lose after Gastric Bypass surgery?
You should lose approximately 50% of your excess body weight within the first 6 months and up to 70-80% at the end of 18 months.
The surgery takes approximately two to three hours, but this depends on each individual patient.
2. How long am I in the hospital?
For laparoscopic gastric bypass, most patients are in the hospital two to three days. For open gastric bypass, patients are in the hospital 3-4 days.
3. How long will I be out of work?
Most patients return to work two to four weeks after surgery. You and your doctor will decide the optimal time to return to work based on your profession and post operative guidelines.
4. What are some of the possible complications of gastric bypass?
Any surgery can involve complications such as infection, blood clots, or respiratory complications. Some additional complications specific to gastric bypass surgery include leak, obstruction, and ruptured pouch, which are all extremely rare. Complications can be serious or simply annoying, but they can be managed with early detection and quality care.
5. What is life like after the surgery?
Patients must stick to strict dietary guidelines for several weeks following the surgery. In addition, life style changes must be made permanently. We recommend that you participate in support groups where you can talk to others that have undergone gastric bypass for emotional and practical support.
6. Is the remaining stomach that is separated from the pouch removed during surgery?
It is not necessary to remove the “remnant stomach” during gastric bypass surgery. The “remnant stomach” will shrink over time due to the fact it is not being stretched out with food and liquids. However, it still has a purpose in that it produces stomach acid and receives enzymes from the liver and pancreas to aid in the digestive process in the intestines.
7. What follow-up and support are available to gastric bypass patients after surgery?
There are required follow-up appointments after your surgery at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months, 24 months, and then yearly. We offer 2 support groups per month that are highly recommended as well as a number of resources available to you including bariatric coordinators, a bariatric dietician, an exercise physiologist, and bariatric psychologists.
8. Can I attempt to get pregnant after bypass surgery?
Patients are advised to not get pregnant for a year to a year and a half after surgery. By waiting, you are assured better nutrition which is important for the health of you and your baby.
9. Is gastric bypass surgery reversible?
Gastric bypass can be reversed, however the reversal surgery is more complicated than the initial surgery. Reversals of gastric bypass surgery are rare and are done on patients who experience long term nutrition problems.
10. Can the stomach stretch back to its normal size after gastric bypass surgery?
The stomach never stretches back to its normal size of 2 liters, however, the stomach is an elastic muscle and it is expected to stretch over a period of 1-2 years to accommodate a meal of 6-7 ounces 3 times per day.
11. Will the staples used in my surgery interfere with imaging tests such as CT scans and MRIs?
The staples used for your gastric bypass surgery are made of a special material that will not interfere with CT scans and MRIs.
12. What is dumping syndrome?
With gastric bypass surgery, food moves from the new pouch directly into the small intestines bypassing the first part of the digestive breakdown in the duodenum. Foods high in fat and sugar content enter at a high concentration that the body is not use to. Dumping syndrome is the result. It is characterized by very unpleasant feelings of nausea, cramping, sweating, and abdominal pain. This eventually subsides over a period of approximately 30 minutes. By monitoring your intake of sugar and fat, you can avoid dumping. Eating and drinking at the same time or eating too much can also produce dumping.
13. Will I ever be able to drink alcohol again?
It is recommended that alcohol be avoided permanently after gastric bypass surgery. It may not be well tolerated and the results of the alcohol may affect you quickly.
14. Is it possible to gain my weight back after gastric bypass surgery?
Weight loss surgery is merely a tool that helps you lose weight. In order to be successful, you must make a commitment to healthy lifestyle changes for life. Otherwise it is possible to gain your weight back by out-eating the surgery and resorting to old habits.
15. Will I need plastic surgery after my weight loss?
Extreme weight loss can result in large amounts of excess skin. Some patients choose to have plastic surgery to remove the extra skin.
16. Which weight loss surgery is considered the best?
Gastric bypass and adjustable gastric band surgery have their advantages and disadvantages. Your surgeon will work with you to determine the best surgery for you.
17. How much weight should I lose after Gastric Bypass surgery?
You should lose approximately 50% of your excess body weight within the first 6 months and up to 70-80% at the end of 18 months.