Patient education: Care after weight loss surgery (The Basics)

Do I need to change how I eat after weight loss surgery? — 

Yes. After surgery, you can only drink liquids for the first week or so. You can then slowly start to eat pureed or solid foods. Work with a dietitian (food expert) to learn how your diet should change. If you eat the wrong things, you could hurt your chances of losing weight or you might make yourself sick.

For example, if you have gastric bypass and eat sugary foods after surgery, you could have a problem called "dumping syndrome." This makes you nauseous and lightheaded. It also makes you shake, sweat, and turn red and feel hot (especially on your face), and can cause diarrhea.

To avoid these problems and improve your chances of losing weight, you should:

●Drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated.

●Eat slowly, and chew your food well.

●Stop eating when you feel full. You will feel full much sooner than before surgery because your stomach is much smaller.

●Eat healthy foods that are high in protein and low in fat and calories.

●Avoid drinking and eating at the same time. Wait 30 minutes after you finish eating to drink water or other beverages.

●Avoid sugary foods.

●Avoid liquid foods that are high in calories, such as ice cream.

You might dislike foods you used to like, such as meat. You might also like foods you used to dislike, such as fruits and vegetables.

Do I need vitamin and mineral supplements? — 

Yes. You will need to take special multivitamins with minerals. That's because weight loss surgery can make it hard for your body to get all the nutrients it needs. You must keep taking the vitamins for the rest of your life. Your body will always need them to stay healthy.

How often do I need to see my doctor? — 

See your doctor a few weeks after surgery to check on your recovery, then every 3 months for the first year. After 1 year, you can switch to yearly visits. Your doctor or nurse will check your weight and blood pressure and make sure you do not have any problems caused by the surgery. They might want to see you more often if you have a problem or have not lost weight as expected.

You also need blood tests to check that your body is getting all the nutrients you need to stay healthy.

Will my health problems get better after weight loss surgery? — 

Many people who have weight loss surgery find that certain health problems get better or go away after they lose weight. These include:

●Diabetes

●High blood pressure

●High cholesterol

●Sleep apnea – This a disorder that causes you to stop breathing for short amounts of time while sleeping.

Because these conditions often improve, you might be able to take less or stop taking medicines for these problems. But check with your doctor before changing how you take any of your medicines.

What health problems can happen after weight loss surgery? — 

Problems that can happen soon after surgery include:

●Bleeding

●Infection

●A blood clot in a vein, which can be dangerous if it travels to the lungs

●A blockage or leak in the stomach or intestines

Other problems that can happen later after surgery include:

●Gallstones – These are small stones that form inside the gallbladder, a small organ under the liver. Sometimes, gallstones can cause belly pain or infection.

●Acid reflux, especially after a type of surgery called "sleeve gastrectomy"

●A blockage in the intestines (called an "obstruction")

●Internal bleeding – This can happen if a sore forms when the stomach and intestine are reconnected during gastric bypass surgery.

●Hernias where cuts were made during surgery – These can look like a lump or bulge or happen inside the belly.

●Not losing enough weight or gaining back some of the weight you lost

How will I feel after weight loss surgery? — 

After losing large amounts of weight, you might feel more confident, successful, and able to talk about your feelings. But you might also feel sad or depressed. This can happen if you used to eat large amounts of food for comfort and can no longer do so.

Because your eating habits are different, you might feel awkward at business or social events that focus on food. Your relationships with family, friends, and coworkers might change if they treat you differently as a thinner person.

If you are struggling, ask your doctor to recommend a counselor, such as a social worker or therapist, or a support group. Talking to someone can help you cope with the changes.

What if I want to get pregnant? — 

For people who are very overweight, losing weight can make it easier to get pregnant. But do not try to get pregnant for at least a year after weight loss surgery. Your doctor might suggest waiting even longer, up to 2 years. To prevent pregnancy, use a method other than birth control pills. That's because the pills might not work as well in people who had weight loss surgery.

More on this topic

Patient education: Diet after weight loss surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Weight loss surgery (The Basics)
Patient education: Dumping syndrome (The Basics)

Patient education: Weight loss surgery and procedures (Beyond the Basics)