Gastric bypass surgery Q&As
Published by Bupa's health information team, February 2009.
Answers to questions about Gastric bypass surgery
This section contains answers to common questions about this topic. Questions have been suggested by health professionals, website feedback and requests via email.
- What can I eat to help lose weight after surgery?
- Is the gastric bypass operation reversible?
- Gastric bypass surgery has a side-effect called "dumping". What is this and what should I do if I have this?
What can I eat to help lose weight after surgery?
Following a healthy balanced diet will help you to lose weight after your gastric bypass operation. Ideally, your diet should contain foods which are high in fibre and low in fat and sugar.
Explanation
As part of a balanced diet, it's important that you eat a variety of foods to make sure your body gets all the nutrients it needs.
To help with your weight loss, you should eat regular meals and not skip breakfast. If you go for long periods without eating you are more likely to eat more when you eventually do eat.
Healthy snacks can help if you get hungry between meals. These include foods such as fresh fruit. You can also buy juiced or tinned fruit as a healthy option. Tins of fruit should be in fruit juice rather than in syrup, as syrup contains a lot of sugar.
Foods that are high in fibre are a good source of energy and will keep you feeling full for longer. Foods that are high in fibre include wholegrain bread, brown rice, pasta, oats, beans, lentils, cereals, fruit and vegetables.
You should also reduce the amount of fat in your diet. You can do this by choosing low-fat varieties of dairy products, and by trimming the fat off meats. You can also bake, grill, poach or steam food rather than frying or roasting as this way you don't need to add any extra fat.
Another way to help you lose weight is to reduce the amount of sugary foods you eat and fluids you drink. Many products, including fizzy drinks, sweets, biscuits, jam, cakes and pastries contain added sugar.
If you would like more information on what you should eat to help you lose weight, contact your GP for advice.
Further information
- British Obesity Surgery Patients Association (BOSPA)
0845 602 0446
www.bospa.org - Food Standards Agency
www.food.gov.uk
Sources
- Changing lifestyle for weight management. Association for the Study of Obesity. www.aso.org.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
- Starchy foods. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
- Fats. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
- Sugars. Food Standards Agency. www.eatwell.gov.uk, accessed 21 April 2008
Is the gastric bypass operation reversible?
The gastric bypass operation should be considered to be a permanent weight loss measure. In exceptional circumstances it's possible to fully or partly reverse it.
Explanation
Gastric bypass surgery is considered to be a permanent weight-loss measure. However, in exceptional circumstances it's reversible, for example, in an emergency or if you experience severe side-effects or complications from the operation. Side-effects can include severe nausea or vomiting.
A full reversal requires another operation on the same, or greater scale, with the same, or greater, risks than your original operation. Because of this, you will usually only be considered for the reversal operation if you experience long-term side-effects or complications.
An alternative to a full reversal which is sometimes is performed is an operation to reduce the amount of your bowel that was originally bypassed. This won't mean that you will be able to eat more, but it will allow you to absorb more of your food.
Overall, further surgery to reverse the operation is performed in less than 2 in 100 gastric bypass patients.
A full reversal of your gastric bypass operation will usually mean that you regain any weight you have lost.
If you are worried about having your gastric bypass operation reversed, or if you are not sure which operation is most suitable for you, contact your surgeon for advice.
Further information
- British Obesity Surgery Patients Association (BOSPA)
0845 602 0446
www.bospa.org
Sources
- Surgical interventions in obesity management. Association for the Study of Obesity. www.aso.org.uk, accessed 31 March 2008
Gastric bypass surgery has a side-effect called "dumping". What is this and what should I do if I have this?
A sensation known as "dumping" is an unpleasant reaction that can happen when you eat very sugary foods after having gastric bypass surgery.
Explanation
After gastric bypass surgery you will be advised to eat a special diet. This is designed to:
- make sure you are eating the right amount of nutrients
- help you lose weight by restricting the amount of food you eat
- help you to develop better eating habits
- prevent your stomach pouch becoming displaced or blocked
Your dietician will advise you what you can eat and drink at every stage after your operation.
You will always have to be careful what you eat. If you eat a lot of sugar, for example, you will feel sick and faint. This is called "dumping" and happens because of a following fall in your blood sugar level. It can happen in half of all people who have a gastric bypass operation.
If you do experience dumping, you should lie down and drink plenty of fluids that don't contain sugar until the unpleasant feelings have passed. You should also reduce the amount of sugary foods you eat, such as sweets, chocolate and puddings, and choose healthier foods such as fruit and vegetables as a snack.
If you are at all worried about your gastric bypass operation, or the type of foods you should be eating, contact your dietician or GP for advice.
Further information
- British Obesity Surgery Patients Association (BOSPA)
0845 602 0446
www.bospa.org
Sources
- Guidance of the use of surgery to aid weight reduction for people with morbid obesity. National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2002,Technology Appraisal Guidance No. 46. www.bury-roch-ha.nhs.uk, accessed 31 March 2008
- Bult MJF, van Dalen T, Muller AF. Surgical treatment of obesity. Eur J Endocrinol 2008; 158: 135-145. www.eje-online.org
Related topics
This information was published by Bupa's health information team and is based on reputable sources of medical evidence. It has been peer reviewed by Mr Stephen Pollard, MA, MS, FRCS, BSc; Spire Leeds Hospital, Leeds, and by Bupa doctors. It has also been reviewed by BOSPA. The content is intended for general information only and does not replace the need for personal advice from a qualified health professional.
Publication date: February 2009
Gastric bypass surgery factsheet
Visit the gastric bypass surgery health factsheet for more information.
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