About this topic
This procedure is done to treat obesity. It helps you lose weight by lowering how much food you want to eat and are able to eat. Your doctor will compute your body mass index based on your height and weight. This tells your doctor if you are underweight, normal weight, overweight, or obese. This is also known as BMI. A high BMI puts you at more risk of health problems. This procedure is done for people with BMI of 40 or higher. This may also be done for people with BMI of 30 to 39 who have very bad health problems such as diabetes or heart disease. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- When your doctor says it is okay to exercise, add it into your daily routine. Walk around the house often when you get home. Try to walk a little more each day. Regular exercise must become a part of your daily routine for you to lose weight.
- Your doctor may have you wear special stockings. These will help to prevent blood clots.
- Talk to your doctor about how to care for your cut sites. Ask your doctor about:
- When you should change your bandages
- When you may take a bath or shower
- If you need to be careful with lifting things over 10 pounds
- When you may go back to your normal activities like work or driving
- Be sure to wash your hands before and after touching your wound or dressing.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. Together you can make a plan for more care. It is important that you follow up with all the healthcare providers that are helping you in this program. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Add any needed supplements
Will physical activity be limited?
- You may start an exercise program when cleared by your doctor.
- Once you are feeling better, start with a daily walk of 5 or 10 minutes and slowly add to the amount of time that you walk. As you become more in shape, ask your doctor about exercises to build your strength.
What changes to diet are needed?
- Eat 4 to 6 small meals each day. A small meal is 2 ounces.
- Food must be pureed or soft for the first 6 weeks after the procedure. Talk to your doctor or a dietitian to see when you are ready to eat solid food.
- When you are allowed to eat solid food, chew your food properly. Eat slowly and take small bites.
- Eat a healthy balanced diet with enough protein.
- Avoid foods high in sugar which can cause upset stomach and bloating.
- Drink water slowly.
- Stay away from beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol). Drinking them can cause serious health problems after surgery. Avoid sodas and drinks that are carbonated.
- Your body will adjust to the smaller amount of food you eat. You may feel tired, anxious, and depressed. Keep yourself active and busy while you get used to this change. Get help from your counselor or doctor if your feelings are getting in the way of your daily routine.
What problems could happen?
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Gallstone formation
- Breaking or slipping of the band
- Gastric band is wearing away through the stomach. You will need a surgery to remove the band.
- Acid reflux
- Throwing up if you eat or drink quickly
- Injury to nearby organs
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills, cough, more sputum or change in color of sputum, pain with passing urine, or wound that will not heal.
- Signs of wound infection. These include swelling, redness, warmth around the wound; too much pain when touched; yellowish, greenish, or bloody discharge; foul smell coming from the cut site; cut site opens up.
- Very bad belly pain
- Upset stomach and throwing up
- Hard stools
- Blood in your stool
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Helpful tips
- Gastric bypass alone is not a solution to lose weight. Control what you eat and how much you exercise to have success in losing weight and keeping the weight off.
- Take note of what you eat by keeping a food journal. Learn how to count calories.
- Weigh yourself at the same time of day, in the same clothing, and using the same scale. That way, you can lessen errors and get a correct weight.
- Put a pillow on your belly when you cough to lessen the pain.
- To help with belly fullness, do not take fluids when you eat. Drink 30 minutes before or after meals.
- You may feel a lot of changes in your body. Your menstrual cycle may change after the surgery. Your skin and hair may feel brittle if you dont eat enough protein-rich food. Talk to your doctor about these changes.
- Continue to work with your doctor for any other health problems. Your diabetes and high blood pressure may improve, and you may not need drugs for these diseases after you lose weight.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my procedure.
- I can tell you how to care for my cut site.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or activities.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have a fever, chills, belly pain, upset stomach, or throwing up.
Where can I learn more?
NHS Choices ‚
http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/weight-loss-surgery/Pages/how-it-is-performed.aspx ‚
Weight-Control Information Network ‚
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚