Last updated 10 months ago
Gastric bypass surgery can start patients on the road to recovery from morbid obesity. This particular form of surgery reduces the size of the stomach and slows down the passage of food. However, post-operative patients will need to adjust eating habits to avoid potential complications and ensure future weight loss success. Here are some tips for a safe and sensible diet following gastric bypass surgery:
Dietary stages
The post-op diet is based on a gradual increase in food consistency that allows the stomach to heal. For the first few days after surgery, your diet should be limited to clear liquids, then slowly expanded to include full liquids, such as consommé and strained soups. After about eight weeks, the body will be able to tolerate solids, initially consisting of soft, high-fibre foods that are high in protein or starch.
Portions
The new stomach will hold roughly half to one cup of food at a time, meaning your stomach will fill up on very small amounts of food. A more comfortable eating plan is likely to include six to eight very small meals a day. A daily multivitamin is also recommended.
What to avoid
Aim to drink liquids between meals, as drinking with meals can cause vomiting. Sipping liquids throughout meals is also discouraged, since this can wash food out of the pouch, allowing for a greater intake of food. Daily calorie intake shouldn’t exceed 800 calories, so try to avoid high-calorie foods. Also steer clear of tough foods like fibrous meat as they can cause discomfort and bring on vomiting and nausea.
The gastric bypass post-op diet is a slow but essential process that ensures a safe recovery, as well as a good foundation for future eating habits. If you’re looking for a weight loss solution, contact the Life Weight Loss Centre on (02) 8999 8503.
Last updated 10 months ago
Without the appropriate weight loss measures, obesity left unchecked can cause far-ranging medical complications. One of the most common of these is hypertension, or high blood pressure.
Obesity and hypertension
Obesity tends to put an ongoing strain on the entire cardiovascular system. Additional fat tissue in the body requires more oxygen and nutrients for nourishment. As a result, the body will circulate more blood to the fat tissue, increasing the heart’s workload. More circulating blood means greater pressure on the artery walls, and ultimately higher blood pressure.
Weight gain can also increase insulin levels, prompting the body to retain sodium and water. This can increase the heart rate and decrease the blood vessels’ ability to move blood throughout the body, causing a rise in blood pressure.
Another significant factor is where the extra weight is stored. Additional weight in the abdominal area is an added risk, because this particular fat deposit is thought to have a more significant effect on insulin levels, offsetting the above mentioned water retention and sodium cycle.
Prevention and treatment
Weight management is the ideal long-term intervention to obesity and associated complications such as hypertension. This can involve some dietary adjustments such as limiting sodium (salt) intake and reducing saturated-fat intake. Just a 10 per cent reduction in body weight, in combination with a healthy diet, can help normalise blood pressure and reduce dependence on blood pressure medication.
Of course a healthy weight, regular exercise and avoiding smoking and drinking are all sensible lifestyle choices that will help with weight loss and a reduction in high blood pressure. If you’re concerned about your weight and the effect it could be having on your blood pressure, contact the Life Weight Loss Centre for a complete weight loss solution. Find them online or call (02) 8999 8503.
Last updated 10 months ago
Life Weight Loss Centre runs information seminars every month to learn about losing weight and getting back to living life.
Our seminars cover:
- Lifestyle changes
- Are you a candidate for weight loss surgery?
- Health benefits associated with weight loss
- Past patients Q & A
- Weight loss surgery options:
- Gastric banding
- Sleeve
- Bypass
Our free seminars allow you to meet Dr Durmush, find out more information about losing weight and the differences between weight loss surgeries. You can speak to past patients and find out how their lives have changed.
Seminars and support group meetings start at 6.30pm and last about 2 hours. We currently provide seminars in our Liverpool rooms.
Address: Suite 2 Level 4, 171 Bigge Street, Liverpool
The next meeting is this coming Tuesday 3rd July so get in quick as there are limited spots.
If you are interested in attending these free seminars please visit our website to book online or book via phone by calling us on 02 8999 8503
Last updated 11 months ago
For people with type-2 diabetes, managing their weight is a vital component in their overall treatment of the disease. Having type-2 diabetes puts people at risk of a number of other illness and conditions that can severely limit their quality of life and life expectancy, including heart disease, stroke and blindness.
When compared with intensive medical therapies, gastric bypass surgery has proved far more effective in reducing the effects of type-2 diabetes. The surgery has been found to promote the gut to release hormones that directly stimulate the pancreas to create more insulin. Insulin is crucial in regulating blood sugar levels. This improvement in insulin production leads to an improvement in blood pressure and a reduction in the patient’s reliance on medication.
Studies have also found that many people that had undergone gastric bypass surgery found that their diabetes was now in remission. This also meant that other medications that they had taken to combat associated conditions of their diabetes were now no longer necessary, such as those taken for cholesterol levels and high blood pressure. The surgery also saw people lose significant amounts of weight, which allowed people to enjoy a more active lifestyle and the potential of a longer, healthier life.
Gastric bypass surgery in Sydney
If you’re ready to improve your health, wellbeing and quality of life, contact Life Weight Loss Centre on (02) 8999 8503 to find out how they can help get you on track to becoming the best version of yourself that you can be.
Last updated 11 months ago
Before undergoing weight loss surgery it is important to understand the myths and truths behind surgeries such as gastric banding surgery:
Myth 1 – Any weight lost from weight loss surgery will return.
Gastric banding surgery is not a silver bullet. Patients will need to commit and stick to a healthy diet and exercise program after surgery, to ensure that they reach and maintain their target weight.
Myth 2 – After gastric surgery you won’t get enough nutrients from your food.
Immediately after surgery, vitamins and supplements will be required for the recovery phase, however, after this a patient should be able to get all their daily requirements from a healthy, balanced diet, despite the reduced size of their stomach.
Myth 3 – After gastric surgery you can only have a liquid diet.
Immediately after surgery, a liquid diet is necessary while the patient adjusts to their reduced stomach size. Once a patient has fully recovered from the surgery, they will be able to transition back to eating solid foods to get their daily requirement of nutrients.
Myth 4 – Rapid weight loss from gastric surgery is unhealthy.
Gastric surgery is one component – a significant part – in an overall weight loss plan. The patient’s ability to lose weight will require a comprehensive change in lifestyle, including healthy eating and exercise. After surgery and with ongoing medical supervision, a patient can expect to lose about one to two kilograms a week, which is within healthy guidelines.
For more information about losing weight in a healthy way, contact Life Weight Loss Centre in Sydney on (02) 8999 8503.
