Gastric By-Pass...here's just a few things you may need to do differently, things to watch out, and the benefits (based on my spouse's circumstances with the by-pass, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, etc):
***Note: a good surgical pre-screening staff should provide you with a detailed booklet containing much of the necessary information (you should already have this, if you are scheduled for the procedure), and each individual may experience somewhat different changes in lifestyle depending on additional health issues. Read/study this info like it's your guide to a new and healthier life...because it is***
Moving forward to a healthier lifestyle-
1. Vitamin/mineral supplements are a must because you do eat less, and may not tolerate certain foods that are needed for proper nutrition very well;
2. The main parts of your diet should be protein based, or you will have hair-loss as well as muscular problems;
3. Sweets are tempting, but stay away from them as they are "dead weight" regarding nutritional value vs calorie intake;
4. Carbohydrate-rich foods, such as breads or pasta may cause plugging of the entry area of your "pouch",as they become a pasty substance after chewing and may build up near the entry area after several bites;
5. Take small bites of food and chew THOROUGHLY before swallowing to avoid plugging your pouch;
6. Carbonated beverages should be avoided, unless the container is opened and allowed to vent/breathe away the carbon dioxide (gas-containing fluids can cause extreme bloating of the very small stomach);
7. Eat each food for the first few times with the understanding that you may not tolerate it well (eat only one food at a time (per meal), until you you feel comfortable that you can tolerate it, then, you can mix tolerable foods together as a meal);
8. Expect to have follow-up clinic visits with your surgeon and his/her staff to identify any problems with the surgery and monitor your recovery and weight-loss progress. Explain any issues you are having with eating certain foods or any other concerns during your clinic visits...they document this and use it to help you and other find ways to cope with or find solutions. The staff will help you stay on track, provide support, and look for additional personalized care specifically to help you be a healthier you. If your progress is good, your clinic appointment frequency can be reduced more and more over time...visits may be approximately 3-5 days after surgery, then, another 1-2 weeks, then monthly for a few moths, quarterly to 6 months, to annually, and so on);
9. Follow the recommended diet as closely as you can...these diets are based actual experiences with similar cases as yours, and are not just based solely on statistics;
10. Smoked foods need to have a lighter or milder smoke flavoring until you find if, how much, or what types of smoke can be tolerated. Smoked food may cause nausea, especially if it's a heavy or stronger smoke;
11. Use of a light sauce or other condiment to aid in saliva production (to assist in swallowing and depositing the food completely into the pouch) when eating drier cuts of meat (such as chicken breast), or avoid these foods;
12. What type 2 diabetes??? Seriously, the by-pass surgery can help this and other eating/nutritional disorders, such as metabolic disease, to all but disappear. They may remain in the back of your mind, or they may briefly resurface on occasion. If so, your doctor needs to now this, immediately by phone. They will advise you what to do (take your previous meds, go to local emergency room if they feel it could be life-threatening, etc).
13. Staying hydrated may seem like a chore at first, as you can't drink liquids in large quantities, so you need to drink much, much more often, just in sips, if needed. Make a habit of keeping a drinking bottle of water, iced tea or some other beverage that you enjoy, is healthy, and you can tolerate, close at hand.
14. Make the foods and beverages you can tolerate as enjoyable as you can, keeping in mind that processed sugars are still not healthy for you. Sugar-free sweeteners will keep you on track if you just don't like unsweetened.
15. When dining out, some restaurants will honor a wallet-card ID, which identifies you as having a stomach volume-reducing procedure, thereby preventing you from eating larger quantities of foods, and will give reduced prices for buffet dining, or offer small menu portions at greatly reduced prices. Remember everything you've learned about eating at home, and take that with you when dining out, so you don't experience problems while eating.
Don't fear the life-changing path you are choosing. It is a major decision, but it also may save your life. Hundreds of thousands of people have undergone this and other weight-loss enhancing procedures. Success rates vary, but it sounds to me that you really need this to get to a healthy weight and be able to maintain that weight. If obesity has been a life-long struggle and is causing serious health problems (as most all experience eventually), you need this to survive and live a reasonable life expectancy. It won't be a walk in the park, at least not at first, but the changes you make in how you will eat will go along with the surgical procedure to make your life more fulfilling, and these changes will become etched into your daily routine over time and become the habits that you will soon learn to live by.
Stick to your guns. If you can't get healthy without out by-pass or other procedures, you have little else for options. Let your family know that this is what you must do, and ask for their support in your efforts for recovery and getting healthy again. Emotional support from your family and friends (not sympathy, just a little help in doing what you need to do to stay on track) is a vital ingredient to your success. If they don't help you, they may unintentionally be hampering your efforts.
I hope this helps to give you a better perspective on what you may experience, as well as a brighter outlook on your future. The future is everything to you right now, so being able to move forward is your life-line.
Good luck in October, and from here on out!
Eric
