Bariatric Weight-Loss Surgery

3 Things You Should Know Before You Receive Gastric Bypass Surgery

Dr. Jason F. Moy
Dr. Brian T. Chin
Daniel Roman
October 19, 2023
3 Things You Should Know Before You Receive Gastric Bypass Surgery

If you know someone who has received gastric bypass surgery, talking with them may have shaped your thoughts and feelings about the procedure. While gastric bypass is an effective surgery to aid in a person’s weight loss efforts, every person is unique, If you are thinking about undergoing gastric bypass surgery, you should understand the benefits, risks, and lifestyle changes you’ll need to incorporate before and after the procedure. Gastric bypass surgery effectively reduces your stomach size and alters the way the small intestine handles the food you consume. Here are some factors you should understand before gastric bypass surgery.

Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery

 With every major surgery comes possible risks and complications. The surgeon you choose plays a major role in how severe these possibilities are, but you’ll never eliminate every risk. With that said, some of the common risks and complications of gastric bypass surgery include leaking at the stomach, digestion issues, shrinkage in the intestine opening, among others. Your surgeon will explain the risks and your chances of developing these complications based on your situation, how you prepare before surgery, and your lifestyle afterward.

Preparing for Life Before and After Surgery

 A good surgeon will provide you with a checklist of things you should and should not do before gastric bypass surgery. For example, you should stop smoking for several weeks before the procedure and refrain from taking certain drugs leading up to it. Your surgeon may suggest other ways to prepare for a successful surgery. It is important to follow these recommendations to reduce the chances of complications.

Many people focus on life after gastric bypass surgery. It is unrealistic to expect to lose a lot of weight after gastric bypass if you are unwilling to change your lifestyle as well. Mixing in dieting and exercising will give you the best possible results. The good news is your efforts and goals should be a little easier to achieve since you won’t feel as hungry, and when you do eat, you won’t be as inclined to eat as much. Focusing on your mindset before gastric bypass surgery can make it easier to adjust following the procedure.

Your Support System Is Important

 Having a solid support system in place is important to help you achieve your goals following gastric bypass. You will need to take it easy for a couple of weeks after your surgery, so make arrangements for people to come to take care of basic chores around the house for you. 

Don’t hesitate to tell your support system about any struggles you are having either physically or mentally. Sometimes talking about these struggles can lead to encouraging and positive words to help you realize you are not alone in your journey. Your support system wants to see you succeed and can help you throughout the process. Swapping unhealthy snacks for healthier versions is sometimes easier said than done, but when you have a close group of people supporting you, then the process can be a little easier to digest.

Find Bariatric Surgery in the San Francisco Bay Area

At BASS Bariatric Surgery Center, we prepare our patients for every possible outcome following their gastric bypass surgery. At the initial consultation, we will evaluate your situation and explain everything you need to know about the procedure. Our surgeons will provide you with the information, but then it is up to you to follow the recommendations before and after the procedure to maximize the results and reduce the risk of complications. We are here to help you every step of the way, so contact us today at (925) 281-3711 or request a consultation online to start the process.

About The Author

Daniel Roman, Content Writer

Daniel Roman is a Digital Content Writer at BASS Medical Group. He received his Masters in Journalism from UC Berkeley in 2021. Daniel has published multiple newspaper articles covering public health issues. His latest was a magazine cover story on pandemics and diseases that he co-wrote with Dr. Elena Conis, a historian of medicine, public health, and the environment.

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