What to Expect After Surgery
Rate of Weight Loss
Your rate of weight loss will be about 1-2 pounds per week and steady. Many patients lose faster than this initially, but the rate will slow down. This rate allows for safe weight loss with fewer nutritional complications.
Potential Nutritional Complications
Burping and Hiccups
These can occur during the first few months after surgery and are usually related to swallowing air when eating or drinking. Remember to chew with your mouth closed, don’t use straws, eat slowly and stay away from carbonated beverages.
Dehydration
Dehydration can occur if vomiting and/or diarrhea are persistent or enough fluid is not taken in. Symptoms of dehydration are lightheadedness, thirst, dark urine, and nausea. Follow the guidelines for drinking liquids as recommended throughout the day to prevent this from happening.
Constipation
Constipation may occur during the first month after surgery, but usually resolves itself as the body adjusts to a smaller amount of food. Regular intake of allowable fresh fruit, vegetables, and fiber based on your diet guidelines along with good fluid intake and activity can prevent constipation. Many weight loss surgery patients find it helpful to supplement their diet with a powdered fiber supplement (i.e.Benefiber)
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Nausea and Vomiting
Nausea and vomiting can result if diet guidelines aren’t followed. Remember the following:
- Sip slowly on fluids and protein supplements
- Stop eating/drinking just before feeling full
- Stop drinking before eating and allow 20 minutes after meals before drinking again
- Eat slowly (20-30 minutes per meal) and chew food to applesauce or baby food consistency
- Maintain the portion sizes that are recommended
- Avoid high fat and high sugar foods
- Stay upright one hour after eating
- Stay away from strong food smells and strong flavors or spices
If nausea occurs for more than 24 hours, or if vomiting persists and you are not able to keep any liquids down, contact your surgeon right away.
Frothing
This is a term used for a foamy spit-up that can occur as a result of overeating and drinking at meals. It can also be related to food being too dry or you being dehydrated. Remember to drink 6-8 cups of fluid between meals and make sure your food is moist when eaten. Eat slowly, taking small bites, chewing well, and stop when full.
Blockage
Blockage can occur if a larger particle of food is swallowed without being chewed to the right consistency. It can also occur if you eat too much, or if your foods are too dry or tough. In the event that you have eaten and believe that you may have a blockage, the following guidelines may provide relief:
- Don’t eat or drink anything (liquid or solid) for a period of 2 hours
- Mix 1 tsp meat tenderizer in 1 tbsp water and drink the mixture
- Wait 1 hour and try to sip liquids in small amounts
- If still unsuccessful, call your surgeon
Heartburn
Heartburn may be related to eating too quickly or eating too much food. Slow down your eating, decrease the amount you are eating, and avoid extreme temperatures (hot or cold)
Food Intolerances
Many people lose their ability to tolerate some foods after surgery. (Thick meats, soft bread, string vegetables, rice and skins or peelings) This often has to do with the consistency of the food and time at which the food is introduced. Remember to chew your food well and stay with the phase that you have been prescribed.
Hunger and Snacking
These issues can resurface at any time after surgery. Many patients begin to experience some hunger when they are ready to transition from a liquid to a more solid diet, or when they are ready to have their band adjusted. Often, the hunger may be more psychological, or “head hunger”. It is always a challenge to determine the cause of hunger, but keeping good food records may help you determine if you desire to eat for other reasons, such as boredom, stress, anxiety, or habit. You may also experience more hunger if you eat foods that are soft and slippery and slide through your new pouch too quickly.
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