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Botox or Botulinum Toxin has been used widely for the treatment of obesity over the last decade. But unfortunately, it’s not accounted as one of the affordable procedures even though the process is simpler than the other bariatric options and the effects are not permanent. The high price urges patients to consider medical tourism as a serious option. Turkey, as one of the most popular destinations for medical tourists both from the West and East, has been a center for patients who want to undergo gastric Botox to lose their excess weight.

But why Turkey?

Basically, because it’s much more affordable than other parts of the world and you can experience the same expertise and medical services. In this article, you’ll find out how gastric Botox is done in Turkey. How much does it cost and what does the cost include? Moreover, you’ll realize its risks and whether you’re qualified to come to Turkey for Gastric Botox or not.

The first three sections include general information about gastric Botox, if you know them, just skip to the fourth section to find out whether you’re a good candidate to come to Turkey for this process or not.

What Is Gastric Botox?

Gastric Botox is considered a non-surgical bariatric procedure. For patients who prefer not to try surgery or don’t have the requirements for weight loss surgery, gastric Botox is an ideal option.

This technique inhibits particular nerve signals in the muscles of your stomach wall. These muscles control the feelings of hunger and satiety. As a result, you’ve got a few months to lose weight because now you’re able to control your hunger and get full faster.

During this time, you’ll have the chance to adapt yourself to a healthy lifestyle.

How Does Gastric Botox Work?

The Botox is injected into particular spots of the stomach which blocks the muscle contraction. As a result, gastric emptying occurs later and you will feel satiated for a much longer time.

Because of the decrease in your appetite, the overall amount of food intake reduces as well. If you combine that with exercise and regular physical activities, you’ll get noticeable weight loss results.

In addition, the ‘gastric fundus region’, the upper part of your stomach, decreases the released Ghrelin peptide hormone.

What is this hormone? It’s the appetite center of your stomach. In other words, the major hormone that stimulates hunger. This also leads to an increased feeling of satiety.

Who is a Candidate for Gastric Botox?

– Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than 25 kg/m², lower than 35 kg/m²

– Not overweight enough for bariatric surgery

– Patients who have risky conditions for invasive types of bariatric surgery

– Patients who have tried diet and exercise and failed in their attempts to lose weight

You may have been sick of trying a different diet and need help to find your motivation. If you’re slightly overweight, you know that bariatric surgery is not for you. Yet gastric Botox interferes with your body’s system and helps you get back the control of your life.

Am I Eligible for Gastric Botox in Turkey?

Before responding to that, do you have the conditions mentioned in the previous section? If yes, let’s discuss the other criteria that determine whether you’re qualified but gastric Botox in Turkey or not.

You can also ask us all your questions about gastric botox in Turkey and other bariatric procedures to find out whether this process is good for you.

– Traveling does not make you nervous.

Most of the medical centers and clinics that offer obesity treatment procedures provide their patients with packages that target all the concerns of bariatric patients, accommodation, and transportation, to name a few.

Yet again, it is important that you don’t find traveling stressful, otherwise, there’s a high chance this won’t be a much more pleasant experience. Try to share all your concerns with the patient representative. Don’t be embarrassed. You may get the answers to all your questions.

 – You’re obese but prefer not to undergo invasive bariatric procedures.

Even if you’re obese but invasive types of weight loss surgery are not your choice, gastric Botox can be helpful. It is especially a good choice to experience abroad because the risks are way less in comparison with gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery.

This way, you start a healthier lifestyle with the least side effects and at a much more affordable price.

– You have realistic expectations.

Of course, you can’t expect the amount of weight loss gained after gastric sleeve or gastric bypass, but it is an effective, fresh embark on a healthy lifestyle.

The more realistic you expect, the higher are the chances that you remain motivated. This helps both your doctor and your own progress.

– No gastritis disease and ulcers

Note that if you have any types of gastritis disease and ulcers, make sure they’re treated completely before going to gastric Botox in Turkey or any other country.

Overall Qualifications for Gastric Botox in Turkey

If you are considering gastric Botox in Turkey, you should have all the requirements for gastric Botox mentioned above. If you’re the person who finds traveling stressful, maybe it’s not a good idea to pick a place other than your own city.

But sometimes the price is not affordable in your country and you have no other choice but to bear the stress of being in a new place in order to take this step towards reaching your ideal weight.  An important point is that most of the bariatric centers that offer medical services to international patients think about the comfort of their patients and provide them with additional services such as translation, transportation, and accommodation so that you don’t have to worry about anything else.

What we advise is to find a trustworthy place and share all your concerns with them beforehand. Let nothing increase your stress. They should also know your medical history, so in case of flying is a risk for you, you’ll know in advance.

Age Limit for Gastric Botox Patients

We do not recommend gastric Botox for children, specifically before puberty. So, the minimum age for gastric Botox in Turkey is the same as most parts of the world, which is 16. We also don’t suggest over 65 undergo gastric Botox.

However, each individual has their own circumstances. If you’re considering gastric Botox and are in doubt, just contact us. By checking your medical history alongside your psychological status and motivation, our bariatric doctors will give you their frank opinion and recommend what’s best for you.

How Long Does the Procedure Take?

A bariatric doctor performs the procedure using an endoscopic method on an outpatient. The entire process requires minimal preparation and usually takes an average of 20-25 minutes under mild sedation. After the treatment, the patient will be kept under observation for 2-3 hours and may leave once he/she feels ready.

How Long After the Procedure the Botox works?

After the maximum 3-hour recovery, the patients should wait for 3-5 days for the Botox to function. The initial influence appears within the first three days as appetite reduction. The next result you’ll observe his weight loss, which occurs 2 weeks after the procedure date.

How Long Do the Effects Last?

The effects of gastric Botox last for 4-6 months. After 6 months, the treatment can be repeated and the patient may undergo 3 sessions in total for a duration of 18 months.

How Much Weight Will I Lose?

The exact amount of excess weight loss differs from patient to patient. But the average weight loss is estimated at 10-20 pounds.

Because of the effect of Botox, the following 4-6 months is the most critical period for weight loss when you can get the best results. However, once Botox loses its effect, you should be even more careful and not let yourself restart your previous habits.

You should pay a lot of attention to your diet and exercise schedule. Visiting a dietitian regularly is strongly recommended both during and after gastric Botox.

Can I Repeat the Procedure after 6 Months?

If you’ve successfully lost enough extra weight and have no health problems, you don’t need to repeat it. Just follow your diet and exercise plan,

Injections do not need to be repeated in patients who have no health problems and have succeeded in losing enough weight. However, such patients are advised to comply with their diet and exercise plan.

The procedure may be repeated 6 months later in patients who are satisfied with the outcome achieved by botulinum toxin injections into the stomach. The interval between injections may be prolonged if the patient adequately complies with his/her diet, has performed his/her best during the previous 6 months, and does not complain about his/her food consumption in that period. There are no drawbacks associated with the repetition of gastric Botox injections. The procedure may be repeated 3 times successively with 6 months interval.

Gastric Botox Risks and Side Effects

One of the reasons patients choose gastric Botox is because of its safety and almost 0 death rate. But it’s not like you won’t feel a thing afterward. Especially during the first 2 or 3 hours after the procedure, you might feel nausea, headache, abdominal pain, and vomiting.

Since the method and the equipment used in Turkey is standard and among the most common ones everywhere, there are no additional physical risks, but some other risks that are related to the new circumstances of being in a new location.

– Psychological (Mental) Risks

Other than the risks that usually gastric Botox has, having the procedure abroad might have other risks.

First, if you’re the person who needs the emotional support of a friend or a member of the family in stressful times, it will be an emotionally risky decision.

At Arpanu, we set you a patient representative that will be in contact with you even before you come to Turkey. Their major responsibility is to answer your questions and provide you with technical and any other support when you’re in need.

– Miscommunication

Even if you speak English, there’s no guarantee all the people you meet in Turkey can speak English as well. This is when miscommunication occurs, which is a stress-causing factor by itself.

But we’ve thought about this as well. From the very beginning of your trip to Turkey, a translator will be in contact with you to guarantee quality communication. Also, your translator will meet you on your arrival and will accompany you to the hospital as well.

– Concerns about Your Stay

When you experience a procedure like gastric Botox in your own region, you know that you’ll come back home shortly after the procedure. But going abroad means you should think about other things such as accommodation and transportation as well.

Where am I going to stay? How to find a hotel that is comfortable, yet affordable and close to the hospital? How should I go forth and back between the hotel and the hospital?

Don’t worry at all. In our packages, we considered and included a good place for your stay. Also, a private driver will pick you up from the airport, take you to the hotel, and be responsible for your commute to the hospital.

The Advantages of Gastric Botox

– First of all, it’s not surgery. The procedure is simple and recovery is only a couple of hours.

– Minimum discomfort because the procedure is done endoscopically

– Fast recovery when compared with Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy

– Minimal pain and side effects

– Patients are able to get back to their normal lives shortly

Stomach Botox Turkey Price (vs Europe and the US)

There is not enough data to say the exact average cost of gastric Botox worldwide but is estimated to be something between 3,500$ to 4,500$.

The table below shows the cost of this obesity treatment in some countries where it is one of the most common types of bariatric procedures:

As you can see, the cost of stomach Botox in Turkey is the lowest in comparison with European countries such as Lituania, the UK, Austria, France, and so on.

Among European countries, gastric botox is the most expensive in France and Italy where the average price is 9,000$.

Germany and the UK almost have the same prices, 6,000$. The US has the highest price of gastric Botox, 10,000$ on average.

Turkey has the lowest price, the average of which is 1,500$.

Why Is Gastric Botox Cheap in Turkey?

The cost of gastric Botox is not cheap in Turkey, but it is cheap in comparison with other countries. This is not surprising if you think about the overall lower cost of life in Turkey. What 1,500$ means in Turkey and how much stuff you can buy with it is different from the US, for instance.

Turkish surgeons are among the best in the world. The lower price and quality medical services in Turkey are the main causes of the medical tourism boom in Turkey, according to Manchester Evening News.

Read some other facts about medical tourism, mostly bariatric procedures in Turkey.

What Affects the Price of Stomach Botox in Turkey?

The price of gastric Botox is not the same in all medical centers in Turkey.

Overall, the most popular cities in Turkey where gastric Botox is performed are Istanbul, Izmir, and Antalya. What affects the price in these spots is first and foremost the expertise of your bariatric doctor.

But this does not mean the more expensive a surgeon is, the more proficient they are.

Another determiner is the quality of the clinic and hospital where the operation is performed.

However, the final price varies depending on your situation because the amount of Botox necessary for each individual is different.

Finally, the cost will be calculated after the consultation with your doctor.

What Is Included in the Final Cost?

The final price offered to you by most of the centers is not only the price of the procedure but includes some other services as well, the hospitalization fee for instance.

The price we offer at Arpanu Medical is for a package that includes:

– The surgeon fee

– Hospital fee

– Transportation

– Medical equipment and Botox

– Hotel stay

– Before and after the procedure consultation

Before choosing your doctor, make sure to ask what exactly you are paying for and whether there are any hidden fees or not.

For us, there are no hidden fees and everything regarding your stay and the medical procedure is included in the price.

If you want to make any changes in your plan, for instance, bringing someone to accompany you, or the days of your stay in our hotels, we can always come to an agreeable deal.

Does Health Insurance Cover Gastric Botox Procedures?

The short answer is no. Most insurance companies only pay for the treatment of obesity only if it is proven to them your health is in serious danger and in the case of having a BMI (Body Mass Index) over 35, in some cases 40.

However, some companies agree to pay for the cost only partially. Without insurance, the price in Turkey is about 1,500$.

Is the Procedure Different in Turkey?

Almost all Turkish bariatric surgeons perform gastric Botox the same way it is done in other parts of the world.

1- Spraying anesthesia on the larynx area to avoid vomiting

2- Botox injection too the muscles of the stomach wall

3- Taking ut the endoscope through the pharynx

4- The patient is ready to leave home the same day

How Many Days Should I Stay in Turkey?

Let’s give you a picture of your journey from A to Z.

The day you arrive in Turkey, a driver will pick you up at the airport and take you to the hotel or hospital. If you go to the hotel, the driver will come and take you to the hospital later. There, you’ll visit your doctor and do a number of tests.

If everything’s ok with your tests, your procedure will be done the next day. Again the driver will pick you from the hotel and take you to the hospital. After the procedure, when your surgeon makes sure you’re all healthy and OK, you will be sent back to the hotel with your driver.

It is better to stay a day longer after the procedure, but even if you have to leave, because of the fairly simple nature of this procedure, you will be all OK 🙂

Gastric Botox Turkey Reviews

Rana, 30, Finland

I did a lot of research before choosing the right bariatric treatment. I was done with diets and I knew gastric Botox was going to help a lot. But you know how high the prices are in Finland. And I just finished my studies and started my job for a few months. There was no way I could pay for it. I was looking for cheaper options when I found out Turkey is a popular destination for gastric balloon and Botox. I found Arpanu a few days later and everything was pretty easy since then. A woman called Ezgi was in contact with me from the very beginning. She even came to the hospital with me, you know, for translation and everything. It went well. I just had a bit of nausea. But I was alright after 3 or maybe 4 hours. It was 4 months ago. I have 2 more months to go, and I’ve been so satisfied with my progress so far.

Luca, 44, Italy

I had gastric Botox about a year ago at Arpanu Medical. After the first 6 months, the pace of my weight loss reduced a bit after the botox lost its effect. I knew that I was on my own then. But my doctor told me this before, so I was ready. I just talked to my dietitian again. Asked for more practical tips. And it all worked out! I lost 20 kilos in a year without gaining weight again.

Passing the gastric sleeve recovery period is not a piece of cake, but it can become more convenient if you think about everything beforehand and prepare yourself. You should take care of your mental health by visiting a psychiatrist and having your own support group. Before the surgery date, you should prepare yourself for the upcoming changes. Also, you must follow your diet and exercise plan. One of the ways to do this is to make changes in your home and grocery list. Read more about these points and other gastric sleeve recovery tips in this article. Good luck! 🙂

1- How to Handle the Mental Side-Effects

I’ve talked thoroughly about both the positive and negative psychological effects of weight loss surgery before. Gastric sleeve surgery is one of the invasive weight loss procedures which makes fundamental changes in your stomach and digestive system.

After surgery, even you can’t eat as you did before. If you haven’t prepared yourself for these changes, you won’t be able to adapt yourself to your new body, and guess what, there’s no way of going back.

The first thing you must do is to prepare yourself before the surgery. Think about every little detail you can’t have or do in your post-op life. Are you ready for that? Do you think your health is worth giving up on them? If you’re not mentally ready, either try to prepare yourself by doing more research about the effects of obesity or just don’t go for the surgery.

What you should do after the surgery is to remind yourself what you did it. Your mental health is more important than anything else now. Having regular sessions with a psychiatrist is strongly recommended.

You also need your support circle. What’s that? A group of your family members, friends, and others who have undergone sleeve gastrectomy whom you can depend on in difficult times.

The major point you should always remind yourself of is: why you did it in the first place?

After some time, when you’ll get used to your new life and do all the things you couldn’t do before, color will be back in your life 🙂

2- Prepare Yourself for Lifelong Regular Exercise

Believe it or not, exercise must be an inseparable part of your life after gastric sleeve. But don’t think you have to lift heavy lifts or run an hour a day right after surgery. You might not do any heavy exercise weeks after surgery. But you shouldn’t stay inactive at all.

Plan short, simple activities and gradually increase both the time and difficulty. Rome wasn’t built in a day. What matters the most is your persistence in staying active, not how much weight you can lift.

3- Stick to Your Post-op Diet

The post-gastric sleeve diet can be divided into 4 phases. Patients are usually recommended to follow some guidelines at least one or two weeks before surgery (read what happens if you cheat on your pre-op diet).

The length of each phase depends on the type of surgery. For instance, Gastric sleeve patients can have liquid foods for a shorter period than gastric bypass patients.

Because you’re not allowed to have many of the recipes you had before, you might end up eating the same simple recipes every day, which is a major reason for patients getting sick of your diet and finally giving up on it.

Variety is the spice of life. Plan your post-op life before your surgery date. Find various recipes. Put time into preparing them. Motivate yourself with a new recipe every week.

When eating out with your friends, look for meals with high protein and low calories. Here’s a source for how to manage eating out habits after sleeve gastrectomy surgery.

4- Be Easy on Yourself Before Getting Back to Normal Life

After simpler bariatric procedures, such as gastric balloon and gastric banding, patients can get back to their normal lives within a few hours or days. But gastric sleeve surgery recovery time is longer.

Hospital recovery takes a maximum of two days. You might feel pain a few hours after surgery when you’ll be given painkillers. Try not to do any heavy moves, but it’s better to walk slowly.

Some bariatric surgery patients push themselves to get back to their normal lives. Please don’t do that. Listen to your body. Restart everything gradually. If you feel like going back to your workplace, that’s OK, but you can start in a hybrid situation, if possible.

Keep walking the day after surgery, but if your body is exhausted, stop and redo it in intervals.

Here’s a guide on what happens to you in the short-term recovery and how to pass this time comfortably.

5- Regular Follow-ups

I’m sure it’s not the first time you’re told about the importance of post-op follow-up sessions. Still, some patients, especially after passing the difficult post-op, forget their follow-ups.

Even if you don’t visit your bariatric doctor regularly, it is vital to take check-up tests twice a year. Also, meeting a dietitian and psychiatrist to check your mental and physical status is significant. Even if you don’t want to do this every month, go for it at least every three or 6 months.

6- Update Your Grocery List

If you don’t want to eat unhealthy food, the first step is NOT to buy them. If you haven’t been used to buying healthy grocery items, all you need to do is to find new, healthy items to fill your fridge with. This is your ultimate guide:

– High protein

– High vitamins

– Low carbohydrate

– Low fat

Let’s see some examples:

7- Set Your Home for a Convenient Recovery

When you come home after the surgery day, you’re not in the mood for making any changes. So, you need to think about everything beforehand.

Where are you going to rest? In your bedroom? Is it close enough to the bathroom? What about the kitchen?

Can you put a mini-fridge or a place to keep your food in your bedroom? If you want to take a walk during the day, can you do it at home? Is there any park or easily accessible waking space close to your house?

Is it better to stay at your place or rest in the house of a friend or a close family member?

Double-check your grocery list. Is your fridge stocked with healthy food? Is anyone going to stay with you, at least for a few days?

Do you have the tools for a convenient recovery? Medical pillows or an extendable shower?

This is not just about a few weeks after surgery. Redecorate yourself for a healthy lifestyle. Let yourself and others know someone who cares about their body and mind lives here. Look at some more tips for the long-term recovery period which might last for a couple of years.

8- Be Alert to Complication Symptoms

Pain, especially right after the surgery, is mostly inevitable. Still, you should always be alert if you’re experiencing complications too often. What are these alerting signs?

– Nausea and vomiting

– Prolonged chest pain

– Severe abdominal pain

– Discolored drainage

– Lack of urination

– Constant fever

If you experience these signs continuously, contact your doctor immediately. There’s a chance you’re having internal infections and if not taken care of, this could happen to something more serious.

9- Dumping Syndrome

If you don’t know what dumping syndrome is and how you can prevent it, it’s better to read our article about the symptoms, diet, and treatment. But in a nutshell, it is a side-effect of weight loss surgery which happens because of the rapid passage of the consumed food into the small intestine.

We’ve devoted a separate part to dumping syndrome because even though it is very common, most patients can avoid it without visiting a doctor.

If you want to know more about weight-loss surgery, the types and procedures, post-and pre-op diets, risks, and costs, look at our 7-chapter guide on bariatric surgery.

If you want to follow the gastric bypass diet without surgery, of course, it is possible to follow the diet. There are many people who have managed to lose weight with this method. However, you should not expect rapid weight loss as gastric bypass patients experience.

Obese patients lose almost 80% of their excess weight after gastric bypass, but if you choose not to have the surgery, even if you stick to the diet and exercise, you may not be able to lose this amount. So, if you pick up on the non-surgical gastric bypass diet but fail to reach your ideal weight, don’t get disappointed.

This article provides you with the reality about gastric bypass diet non-surgical diet, how much weight you lose with it, and who should or should not apply its instructions.

Can I Be a Gastric Bypass Diet Without Surgery?

Yes, but if you find the reasons for your overeating first!

Sticking to a healthy, nutritionally valuable diet is the primary solution to lose weight and maintain your ideal weight. However, sometimes adopting healthy habits is not that easy. Unhealthy eating habits, such as nervous eating, most of the time have psychological reasons. Before applying a set of diet instructions, you should diagnose with the help of an expert the reasons for your unhealthy eating habits and figure out whether you have an eating disorder or not. There are different types of eating disorders, such as binge eating disorders, which is why you need the help of a professional.

If you overcome the resource of your negative eating habits and abandon them successfully, then a gastric bypass diet without surgery is effective.

Whether you choose to have the surgery or not, this diet, if applied accurately, most of the time leads to a noticeable amounts of weight loss.

When Gastric Bypass Non-Surgical Diet Doesn’t Work?

To answer that, first, let’s see what gastric bypass does. This weight-loss surgery decreases the volume of your stomach alongside causing digestive and hormonal changes leading to a reduction in your appetite.

So, first, the surgery helps you eat less, then, as you fill your stomach with high-value nutrition, protein, vitamins, your body loses fat. Moreover, you can build strong muscles by doing exercise and giving your body the nutrition it needs.

You can of course do the second part, but is it easy for you to lessen your appetite and control your craving for food? If you manage to do that, then yes, following a gastric bypass diet without surgery is beneficial. But if not, you will get exhausted because of constantly fighting your appetite and you’ll get back to your previous habits.

But let me tell you that if you manage to control your appetite for a few weeks or months, your stomach might get used to the new portions of your consumed food and its ingredients.

For How Long Should I Follow Non-Surgical Gastric Bypass Diet?

The diet you do with gastric bypass has 4 phases. The first one, the liquid phase, is a bit difficult for individuals who have not undergone the surgery. The second phase, pureed food, might also be a rough start. What I suggest is to pick up on the third or the fourth phase, soft and solid food.

If you want to reach your healthy weight and keep it, you should follow the instructions and recipes of the final phase for a lifetime. It should become your lifestyle, which is why first your must change your mindset and the way you see this diet.

As mentioned before, there’s a high chance continuing this healthy diet causes your stomach to shrink without surgery. But the results will not at all be exactly the same as the effects of the surgical procedure.

Why Should I Try Gastric Bypass Diet Without Surgery?

There are mainly two reasons why you’d better try a gastric bypass diet without having the surgery.

First of all, you’re not qualified for gastric bypass surgery. This could be for many reasons. Some people do not have the minimum BMI (Body Mass Index) for gastric bypass, which is 35. Another example is the case of individuals who are not mentally ready for the surgery or don’t want to have the surgery for its possible bypass mortality rates.

The second scenario is for the patients who want to have bariatric surgery but whose BMI is too high. This condition categorizes them as risky patients. So, it’s better for you to use this diet to lose weight, and then, after a year or two, if surgery is still your choice, you can call your bariatric doctor.

Why Shouldn’t I Try it?

Everybody is welcome to try this diet. You’re not at all forced to have bariatric procedures. But you should know that gastric bypass or other types of bariatric surgery are applied to people who have already tried many diets before in their life and failed. In other words, surgery is not the first and easy method for anyone. But what if you have tried the most effective diets and failed?

In a nutshell, you can try this diet, and to be honest, you should if you’re not ready for the surgery. But don’t lose hope if you can’t manage to keep your ideal weight with it for a long time. Sometimes, diet even doesn’t work.

Diets created for post-surgery will help everyone lose weight. However, the important point here is to stick to the established diet no matter what.

How Much Weight Can With This Diet?

The answer to this question differs for each individual, but if you follow this diet to the letter for a long time, at least six months, you’ll be able to lose approximately 20-30% of your excess weight after a year.

This amount is about 70% after the gastric bypass procedure.

Tips for Following Non-Surgical Gastric Bypass Diet

Persistence Wins

Do not eat any specified food other than the diet. Imagine you’ve had the surgery. Gastric bypass patients cannot ditch their diet even if they want to because of the complications they face in the future. Imagine you’ll have complications in case you eat what you should not.

Work on your mindset.

You must convince yourself that you have had surgery and that your stomach is smaller than before. Thus, your brain will act towards this and push you to eat less.

Forget your old habits.

You need to get rid of habits that affect your eating behavior, such as smoking and alcohol, in addition to just following a diet.

Give importance to exercise.

Don’t forget to exercise. It not only accelerates the result of the diet but keeps you motivated and boosts your energy.  Also, working out while being on diet prevents loose skin and helps building muscles.

When is the Diet More Effective?

The fact that life-threatening complications may occur after gastric bypass surgery or that people will not be able to eat certain foods for the rest of their lives can discourage patients from this surgery. People who do not want to have surgery might decide to lose weight by applying a non-surgical gastric bypass diet.

This diet, which was created for post-surgery, is to ensure that people do not force their stomachs after the surgery and that they are fed adequately. If you want to use this diet without surgery, you should remember that you cannot make changes without consulting a dietitian. Changing a diet according to your needs will not produce the expected effect. So, before adding or deleting any item, make sure to ask for an expert’s advice.

If you want to lose weight with this diet, you can get the most effective list of meals and nutrition, talk to a doctor. Trying a diet with random information will be the same as following any diet. If you ask any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Our dietitians will be more than happy to help 🙂

To Sum Up

A gastric bypass diet is a list of foods and guidelines after surgery which a dietitian prepares for the patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery. The purpose of this diet is for the patients to consume as much protein intake as possible, minimize fat, sugar, and eliminate junk food. Overweight and obese individuals who don’t want to undergo surgery can also use this diet.

Remember gastric bypass surgery is a type of bariatric surgery for people who have already tried dieting and failed. In this process, the stomach and intestines are regulated for weight loss. However, after this surgery, a difficult life awaits people, both psychologically and physiologically.

Morbid obesity, as the name suggests, is considered a disease that develops because of gaining excess weight much more weight than your ideal body weight. This condition negatively affects the immune system, nervous system, psychology, and blood vessel system.

This disease begins with gaining fat and as it becomes worse, the excessive weight gain reduces the quality of life. After a while, it becomes impossible to move and if you take no actions to lose weight, it can be life-threatening. Complications can become serious and incurable.

Research conducted by the American Metabolic and Bariatric Association found out that obese patients have a 12% shorter life expectancy had to be faced.

When the body begins to have movement difficulty due to excess weight, the immune system collapses. Therefore, the probability of death increases.

The main index that shows whether you have morbid obesity or not is Body Mass Index or BMI. According to your BMI treatment methods are applied to ensure a healthy life for the patients.

Body Mass Index Chart

The number of your BMI shows your weight and height ratio. The importance of this number is in showing whether you have a healthy body or not in general. Although there is not a 100% connection between body mass index and health up to a certain level, at least it gives a clear understanding of an individual’s obesity status. 

BMI: Your weight (in kg) / the square of your height (in meters) 

The result is a number between 15 and 70. You can understand whether you have severe obesity by examining your BMI:

• Less than 18.5: The person’s body weight is less than what it should be,
• 18.5 < BMI < 24.9: Normal weight,
• 25 < BMI < 30: Pre-obesity (you have little extra weight),
• 30 < BMI < 34.9: First degree obesity,
• 35 < BMI < 39.9: Second degree obesity,
• 40 < BMI < 44.9: Third-degree obesity,
• 45 < BMI fourth-degree obesity.

Which Stage of BMI is Morbidly Obese?

Individuals with a BMI over 30 are considered obese. However, people at this stage are usually treated with weight loss programs including exercise schedules and physical activity. 

Those who have a BMI over 35 are considered morbidly obese and require serious treatment.

Even though the number resulted by the calculation of the body mass index shows whether the person is obese or not, it does not certainly indicate your health status, but only the predictable findings.

Definition of Morbid Obese

If the person’s body weight is 35 to 45 kilograms more than the ideal weight, the person is morbidly obese. To align the definition with BMI, people with a BMI between 35 and 40 are in the morbidly obese group. 

After the diagnosis of morbid obesity, other weight-related diseases are also detected in the patient.

Diseases Caused by Morbid Obesity

• Lung diseases such as asthma, sleep apnea, hypoventilation syndrome may develop due to obesity.
• Heart diseases such as high blood pressure, heart attack due to high blood pressure, and atherosclerosis
• Internal organ diseases such as recurrent heartburn, fatty liver, and gallbladder diseases
• Endocrine: Type 2 diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and hirsutism diseases 
• Musculoskeletal system diseases, especially degeneration in knees and hips, chronic non-surgical low back pain, disc herniation due to excessive load on the skeleton
• Cancer rate increases and different infections may be encountered in the skin fold areas.
• Urinary tract infections, stress, menstrual irregularity, urinary incontinence, and frequency may develop depending on weight.

Morbid Obesity Treatment Types

Different treatment methods are applied to people diagnosed as obese, depending on their obesity level. Frequently preferred morbid obesity treatment types:

• Gastric band: The stomach is divided into two parts by a silicone ring. Thus, the volume of the stomach is reduced.
• Gastric Bypass: A type of bariatric surgery that both reduces the size of your stomach and brings about changes in your digestive system and hormones
• Gastric sleeve; The stomach is reshaped in the form of a sleeve. As a result, a feeling of fullness is provided in a short time.

How High Should Be My BMI for the Surgery?

The most common types of surgery in the treatments of morbid obesity are gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery. To be eligible for these procedures, you should have a BMI of less than 40. If your BMI value is 40 and above, the surgery might be riskier than usual. 

Our world is moving toward an overall higher body mass. Technological progress provided us with chances of more jobs that just require sitting and thinking while minimizing the amount of time we have for physical activities.

The food industry advertises its unhealthy, easy-to-prepare products as people prefer to spend less time on cooking, and more time on working.

Parks are getting destroyed in order to have more space for our massive highways and malls.

The above-mentioned causes alongside many other factors, hand in hand are directing us to more obese populations.

According to WHO, there were more than 1.9 overweight people in the world in 2016. This number is only for 18-year-old and more people. So, the other 340 million obese people were excluded from this number.

Obesity severely affects people’s quality of life while most solutions for this intense problem are irreversible and in most cases not even that effective. However, science has come to our rescue one more time and surgical procedures, also known by the name weight loss or bariatric procedures have proven to be the ultimate solution for obesity.

As obesity creates many more problems that affect short and long-term mortality, it is important for the surgical patient to make sure the solution they’re choosing for their problem notably reduces the risk for mortality.

Just like all the other medical methods, bariatric procedure is not pure from side effects. But what are these risks? To be more accurate, does this surgical procedure increase or decrease the risk of death? How? These are the questions you must find clear-cut answers to while considering weight loss surgery or any other solution.

This blog post is the result of studying the most credible researches alongside collecting the experience of the most accredited experts.

Obesity Death Rate vs. Bariatric Surgery Mortality Rate

Obesity, morbid obesity, in particular, is not just about not being able to wear any clothes you like or not feeling good enough about your appearance.

It causes some serious problems, including respiratory conditions, most of which not only put overweight people in great danger but decrease their life expectancy to a high extent.

Using the data-driven by previous studies, here’s a statistical analysis of the problems caused by bariatric surgery and obesity and the mortality rates of obese patients before and after the operation.

According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), during a current study researchers examined the gastric bypass operation mortality rate of super-obese patients who had undergone surgery.

Following 10-year data, the results showed a 48% decline in death because of obesity and other diseases associated with being overweight and that these health benefits increase with time.

Another original observational study detected the effects of bariatric surgery in mortality on 4047 Swedish obese subjects that included both gastric bypass patients who underwent weight-loss surgery and nonsurgical controls, also called the controlled group, who received not nonsurgical treatment of obesity.

Here’s a chart review of the maximum weight loss bariatric surgery patients experienced:

	1-2 Years After the Surgery	10 Years After the Surgery
Gastric Bypass	32%	25%
Vertical-Banded Gastroplasty	25%	16%
Banding	20%	14%

Calculating the number of obese patients in the controlled group and the surgery group in addition to the data regarding the weight loss results and fatality rate, the researchers found out that the patients who accepted the surgery faced more long-term weight loss in addition to decreased mortality rate.

The reason for this noticeable long-term survival after the bariatric operations is pretty clear. According to Science Daily, overweight people, the ones with severe obesity, in particular, have higher chances of getting diabetes, different types of cancer, cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, and etc.

These serious problems put them at greater risk of premature death to a high extent, about 50 to 100 percent more than people with BMI less than 30.

Short-Term Death Rates After Bariatric Surgery

One of the most significant factors to obese patients who are considering sleeve gastrectomy, bypass bariatric surgery, or other types of weight-loss operations, is to gather trustworthy information on the death rate after bariatric surgery in the short run.

A report published by the US National Institute of Health reveals the results of a study analyzing a follow-up period of 30 days and mortality rate during this time.

Of the 6118 patients included in the research, 18 people died, 16 of whom had Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) and only 2 had gastric sleeve.

As gastric bypass mortality rate was about 0.3%, the probability of short-term death after this weight-loss surgery is so little.

Sleeve gastrectomy death rate is even less and close to 0 based on this study.

Most of the other studies observing the short-term fatality rate after bariatric surgery confirm this result as well.

Blood clots, internal hernia, nausea are some other complications that occur after bariatric surgery but do not result in death.

Long-Term Death Rates After Bariatric Surgery Procedures

But what about the long-term mortality rate? After all, bariatric surgery affects the patients for a lifetime. So, does it decrease this lifetime in the long run?

Let’s take a look at a study that included a 10-year follow-up of 4344 Brazilian bariatric surgery patients from January 1, 2001, to December 31, 2010.

The total death rate, regardless of the relativity of the death to weight-loss surgery or not, was 1.9%. The 10-year mortality rate was 3.34%, only 1% of this number was due to causes related to surgery.

If this result is not enough for your research, you can take a look at one of the longest studies that examined bariatric patients; this is a 23-year study that explores the mortality and rate in patients undergoing bariatric surgery.

This study, done and published by BMC, shows even more extended results than their previous study that observed patients for 17 years after the operation.

Based on its results, surgical treatments eliminate the fatal effects of obesity. In addition, its preventive effects remain for a long time, even 23 years after the surgery.

What Factors Affect Weight Loss Surgery Fatality Rate? How to Reduce Them?

It is clear for most people why severe obesity kills: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney, liver, and heart disease, cancer, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, and so on and so forth.

But a lot of people might not know factors for mortality after bariatric surgery as they’re not so many and not very probable.

However, it is necessary for obese patients to be aware of them and any probable methods that could help reduce these factors.

Severity of Obesity

Studies that evaluated mortality risk after weight loss surgery among super obese patients mostly found higher BMIs riskier, especially in super-obese patients with BMI higher than 70.

Even though bariatric surgery is more responsive for more obese patients, their high BMI increases the risk of death as well.

So, this is exactly why losing weight before the surgery is of high importance. The more you reduce your BMI, the higher your survival rate will be.

Types of Bariatric Surgery

There is not only one single type of weight-loss surgery, which makes making the right choice even more challenging for patients.

Two of the most popular bariatric procedures are gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery. Even though the ultimate goal of both of them is fast, sustained weight loss, they’re different in their procedures and other areas as well. Therefore, you must have enough information about both of them in order to be able to compare gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures.

One of the risk factors that require indispensable analysis is their surgical mortality rate.

Researches that delve into the safety of gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery, have estimated an 0.8% probability as the 30-day mortality rate of gastric sleeve and 0.14 for gastric bypass.

So, if you’ve thoroughly analyzed both of these procedures and still find gastric sleeve right for your situation, just go with it as it is in most cases the safer one.

Cardiovascular Causes

Cardiovascular causes are one of the most frequent reasons for mortality among bariatric patients.

The American Heart Association‘s guidelines suggest some necessary pre-surgery actions, including chest X-rays.

If you have morbid obesity and after consultation and check-ups, your doctor still recognizes you as a high-risk patient, you can always think about ways of non-surgical effective treatment for obesity.

Also, if they suggest that you postpone the time of surgery so that you can be more prepared and less of a risky patient, just put your trust in this plan and stick to it.

Regular Follow-ups, a Practical Solution to Reduce Post-Surgery Risks

A number of complications after bariatric surgery are solvable in case of regular follow-ups after the surgery. These risks include hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, and psychological problems like depression and suicidal thoughts.

Before the surgery make sure whether it is possible to have sufficient follow-ups of both your physical and mental situation in the clinic or any institution you are going to have the surgery at.

Surgical procedures better be performed in institutions with adequate follow-ups of superobese patients’ overall circumstances in addition to the best practices in bariatric surgery.

Bariatric Surgery Is Becoming Safer

According to a study that looked into the rates and causes of death after bariatric surgery among Pennsylvania residents from 1995 to 2004, the death rate in the follow-up decreased from 13% in 1995 to 7% in 2004. And the number might be even less right now.

The trends and progress of weight loss surgery, in addition to the enhanced expertise of surgeons, caused improvement in the safety of bariatric procedures.

So, when choosing your surgeon, be careful to choose a proficient one.

A Word to the Wise

The more accurate your pre-surgery tests are, the more aware your surgeon will be of your physical and mental conditions, hence helping you even better. So, please do not resist these tests and take them patiently.

If you’re told that you have to lose some weight before the surgery, take your time and listen to your doctor’s advice/

Also, educate yourself and your family about the surgery. Nothing can put you in danger more than lack of knowledge.

Finally, start your healthy lifestyle even before the operation. Work on your mind and your body. The more prepared you are, the better the results will be.

This document has been prepared by Dr. Ceyhun Aydoğan in 5 sections in order to help obese patients, who are considering excess weight loss surgery, gain accurate insights on the types of surgery, their risks, diet before and after surgery, and the average cost of each surgical procedure. You might feel depressed, isolated, and be suffering both mentally and physically. You might find yourself alone in this process and feel like no one else understands what you’re going through. To be honest, you’re not the only person feeling disappointed because of obesity-related difficulties. Just take a look at the map below to see how many people are dealing with the same challenges as yours. 

According to WHO, in 2016, there were about 1.9 billion obese people in the world. See? You are absolutely not alone!Weight loss surgery has raised in popularity over the last decades due to the increase of severe obesity in different parts of the world because when exercise and diet can’t eliminate extreme obesity, surgical options are the final solution to enhance obese patients’ health conditions. The variety in surgical procedures and methods used in these operations has led to the invention of different types of weight loss surgery including gastric bypass, gastric sleeve, biliopancreatic diversion, and so on. This variety acts as a double-aged sword since having more options brings about more confusion as well. But no worries at all! After reading this beginner-level series you will have more than enough information about bariatric surgery and will be able to easily determine the most suitable type of weight-loss operation for your situation.To evaluate your knowledge of bariatric surgery and find on which topics you need more information, just take a look at these questions and see if you have the answers:1- Do I know weight loss surgery pros and cons?2- Am I aware of the changes I have to make after the procedure?3- Do I know the qualifications for weight loss surgery? Is bariatric surgery right for me?4- Is bariatric surgery covered by medicare?5- Am I ready to make a lifelong commitment to change my lifestyle?6- Do I know how to prepare for this journey?So, have you got sufficient information on this topic? If not, no worries at all. By the end of this guide, you’ll have more than enough information to make the best decision. 

What Is Bariatric Surgery and How Does It Work?

Bariatric or metabolism surgery are the names generally given to all types of weight loss surgery, mainly because they directly affect surgical patients’ weight and metabolism to enhance the quality of their lives. These types of surgery are performed when excessive weight cannot be lost through changes in lifestyle and exercise. Most of the patients who have decided to have an obesity operation are under the impression that gastric reduction operations are only tube stomach (vertical sleeve gastrectomy) operations. However, this is not the case.

Does Bariatric Surgery Work?

Morbid obesity creates serious health problems that can be solved to a high extent, in some cases completely, by choosing the right type of surgical treatment for adolescent obesity. These problems include:- High blood pressure- Type 2 diabetes- Obstructive Sleep Apnea – Depression, anxiety, and other psychological challenges- Snoring- High cholesterol- Fatty liver disease – Kidney diseases- Gestational diabetes- Cancer- PCOS and other pregnancy problems – Heart diseaseUnfortunately, the list does not end here. But, having to deal with even one of them can turn your life into a nonstop nightmare. You might have tried tons of diets and plans to get rid of the excess weight, but not have been successful till this moment. Luckily, there is one solution that almost all obesity specialists have recognised as the most effective solution for sustained, long-term weight loss with a notably high success rate.

Cancer

The reason for devoting one section to cancer is that even though most people are aware of some problems related to obesity, especially cardiovascular, liver, and kidney diseases, but unfortunately, not a lot of people are aware that obesity raises the possibility for different types of cancer.

Bariatric Surgery Requirements

Before moving forward, you must know who qualifies for bariatric surgery. Let’s overview the features of the best candidates for bariatric surgery.

• Psychiatric Evaluation

First of all, it is necessary for patients to pass a psychological evaluation so that a specialist can find out whether they’re mentally ready or not. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the patient’s psychological readiness for the operation and gather information about their behaviors such as motivation about the operation and self-preparation.

• BMI > 40

Candidates for bariatric surgery must tick some other boxes as well. Except for passing the psychiatric evaluation, you must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 and above. In case of complications such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea, the necessary amount of BMI is between 35 and 40.

• Not Being a High-risk Patient

Pre-surgery check-ups should prove you’ve got no medical conditions that put you in the group of high-risk patients. Also, you should be mentally ready so that post-surgery depression is avoided as much as possible. If you have these requirements, make sure to check out the next section, Chapter 2, where you will be provided with information about the types of stomach reduction surgery.

How Old You Have to Be to Get Bariatric Surgery

Regarding the age of patient characteristics and age, there are two groups that are not advised to undergo weight loss surgery.- The first group is children, basically, anyone under 14 who has not undergone puberty yet. Even though childhood obesity causes serious problems that jeopardize their health, surgical solutions will also affect children’s health. Therefore, most doctors tend to control these complications using nonsurgical methods until they grow up.Moreover, for obese patients under 18 doctors do the examinations very carefully and make the final decision according to their overall physical and mental circumstances. – The second group are people above the age of 65 who have weaker mobility and general health. Before undergoing bariatric surgery, an experienced surgeon will make sure the obese patient is not a high-risk one. This determination is mostly done through cardiology and lung assessments. 

Who Is Not a Good Candidate for Bariatric Surgery?

If you have at least one of the below-mentioned conditions, then you should reconsider your decision on surgical options: – Being medically fragileIn case you have a serious chronic illness, cardiovascular complications, or spent more than one month in the hospital during the last month, you are considered as medically fragile. This term includes other conditions as well. That’s why you should provide your doctor with all your medical history. – Psychiatric disorders, significant eating disorders in particular – Not willing to change your lifestyle, for instance, quitting smoking and doing exercise- Alcohol addictionIn case you want to know who qualifies for bariatric surgery and all the characteristics of good candidates, in a nutshell, take a brief look at the table below.

Bariatric Surgery Statistics

As one of the types of invasive surgery, weight loss surgical options mostly bring about some concerns related to life after surgery its success rates, and complications. This is a very sensitive matter and cannot be covered in a few paragraphs. So, to complete this puzzle, you’d better read the third chapter, which is about all the risks after the operation. But for now, you should know the failure rate of bariatric surgery has decreased in the last decade and is getting even lower with all the study and research done in this field alongside the improved proficiency of bariatric surgeons. Also, these risks are not the same for all people and differ from person to person depending on each individual’s overall situation. 

Weight Loss Surgery Options

Gastric reduction surgeries performed with laparoscopic (closed) methods are basically divided into two groups known as restrictive and malabsorptive (absorption preventer) operations.However, some types of procedures are considered as combinations of the two as some features of both of these methods are mixed during their processes. 

1- Restrictive Surgery

Any surgical procedure performed on the shape of the stomach to restrict food coming into the stomach is called restrictive weight loss surgery. For example; sleeve gastrectomy is such an operation. During this operation, only the shape of the stomach is manipulated.During restrictive procedures, the stomach size will be decreased by at least one quarter. 

2- Malabsorptive Surgery

On the other hand, malabsorptive stomach reduction operations aim to reduce the amount of food absorbed by the small intestine by performing operations related to the size and position of the intestine. Gastric bypass surgery is an example of such an operation.Detailed descriptions plus photos of these procedures are provided in the next chapter.

What Is the Process of Bariatric Surgery?

All types of bariatric surgery generally go through three main stages:1- An intravenous line will be started using IV pain medication. 2- General anesthesia is required in order to put the patients to sleep. 3- Finally a breathing tube will be inserted into the patients’ windpipe to streamline breathing through the operation and the operation begins.

Bariatric Surgery Effectiveness

According to the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, during the first six months after the surgery, on average most patients with obesity lose 40 percent of their excess weight. This number will add up to 77% one year after the operation. 

To what extent you lose weight and how long you will be able to keep your ideal weight depends highly on yourself. Preventing weight regain is only possible if you manage to keep a healthy lifestyle for the rest of your life, which requires a healthy diet and eating habits alongside regular, appropriate exercise. 

Let’s have an overview of what you’ve learned so far, and what you’ll read in the next sections.

Pros and Cons of Weight Loss Surgery

Advantages

As you lose weight and become lighter, your ability to move increases, hence becoming more active. Enjoyable activities you found impossible to do in the past will become sweet again. As your new life begins, you’ll be able to walk, swim, do yoga, and do any other physical activities you were unable to do before. Even talking about it is intoxicating, isn’t it?On top of that, all the previous physical and mental complications you had to live with due to excess obesity will be out of your life. Let’s take a look at some of the life-changing effects of weight loss surgery.

• Sustained, effective weight loss
• Improving patients’ body image 
• Improved fertility in women (the ones with PCOS in particular)
• Enhanced quality of life
• Long-lasting resolution of type 2 diabetes 
• Long term psychological effects (decreased level of anxiety and depression due to excess obesity) 
• Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease
• Improvements in dyslipidemia, hypertension, and other metabolic comorbidities related to obesity

Disadvantages

Like all the other medical treatments, bariatric surgery has its own side effects. However, this does not mean that you will necessarily experience all of them. Here’s a list of major complications of bariatric surgery. 

• Dumping syndrome 
• Nausea
• Abdominal cramps
• Hernias
• Low blood sugar
• Vomiting
• Malnutrition
• Hair loss
• Loose skin
• Psychological side effects (depression, changes in social relationships, etc)

Let’s weigh your life before bariatric procedure against after it.

Preparing for Bariatric Surgery

First of all, you have to visit an expert in order to understand whether you qualify for surgery or not. After the initial observation, your doctor will provide you with some guidelines on how to prepare for the surgery, which also includes some medical tests to analyze your overall circumstances.Some of these tests are:- Chest X-ray – Cardiac evaluation – Urinalysis – Complete blood countAfterward, your bariatric surgeon will give you advice on the types of operations and together you make the final decision. Your surgeon will let you know which type he finds better for you based on some factors including your history of surgery, eating habits, overall physical and mental situation, and BMI. 

Final Step

Once you’ve set the date for your surgery, it is time to start making changes in your life:- Quit smoking cigarettes and limit drinking alcohol.- Inform your doctor of your medications and the history of your previous complications and surgeries. – Add simple, yet regular exercise to your daily life.- Practice eating in accordance with a healthy diet (suggested by your doctor).- Implement new eating habits; for instance eating slowly and not eating solid food and liquids simultaneously. – Educate yourself by reading more about your life before and after bariatric surgery and the changes your body will go through.- Take multivitamins (consult with your dietitian).- Clarify your weight loss expectations for your doctor and consult with them in order not to have any unrealistic expectations.

Weight Loss Before Bariatric Surgery

Most patients worry about whether they must lose weight before bariatric surgery procedures or not. First and foremost, you should know that one of the factors that directly increases the failure rate of weight loss surgical options is severe obesity.Therefore, most doctors ask their patients to lose some weight and provide them with helpful advice in addition to diet and exercise schedules so that they can achieve this goal.This schedule mostly includes eating healthy food in addition to adding regular activities to your life. 

Life After Bariatric Surgery

There are concerns patients might have that are related to the time right after the surgical procedures. Some of these concerns are:- How long is the recovery time?- How much pain one might have to tolerate?- What to eat and what not to eat?- What are the complications, right after the surgery?and so on and so forth.On the other hand, there are some other worries that although they might happen sometime after the surgery, yet still are important.- Is life after gastric sleeve different from gastric bypass?- Will I regain weight? If yes, when and why? – Will the limitations in my food intake affect my health? – When will I reach my healthy weight?Each of these questions is so important that one separate article can be devoted to them. However, we’ve tried to give you a brief, yet all-encompassing overview of the answers.

Recovery Time After Bariatric Operations 

Most bariatric operations are done using laparoscopic surgery procedures. Due to the small cuts that are made during these procedures, the initial recovery process usually does not take more than 2 to 3 days. In case of further complications, you might need to stay longer in the hospital to have your circumstances checked by your doctor. Depending on the type of your surgery you should rest between 3 and 5 weeks after leaving the hospital and then you’ll be able to restart your normal life.

Average Weight Loss After Bariatric Surgery

Even though your weight loss progress differs after each type of surgery, both in terms of pace and quantity, its average amount is somehow the same, especially in the long run. You can expect 35 to 45% loss of your excess weight after the simple ones. However, with more complicated procedures like gastric bypass, your body will lose 75% of its excess weight. For more details, make sure to carefully read chapter 2 where you’ll learn more about the exact differences in weight loss between various types of bariatric surgery. Moreover, the overall expected weight loss after bariatric surgery depends on other factors including genetics, age, sex, etc, which is exactly why you should consult with your doctor and have realistic expectations before you agree to undergo an operation. 

How Long Can You Return to Work After Bariatric Surgery

It mostly takes two to three weeks for gastric sleeve surgery and gastric bypass patients to go back to work. Some patients might feel better and ready to get back to work within at most a month. However, the exact recovery duration before going back to work depends on the type of surgery as well as your body’s response to it. 

ّFollow-ups After Bariatric Surgery

If you ask for one definite solution that will minimize post-operation complications it is for sure follow-up sessions. Why?- First and foremost, you cannot be sure whether your surgery was successful or not at the time of discharge. During follow-up sessions, your weight loss process and overall circumstances will be closely examined and you’ll be certain when your doctor tells you everything has gone well.- Second of all, malnutrition is the one complication that can be eliminated simply by having the right diet and taking the necessary supplies. With the help of your dietitian, probable nutritional deficiencies will be diagnosed and treated. – Last but not least, during follow-up sessions dumping syndrome and the other side effects of bariatric surgery can be diagnosed in the early stages. Therefore, you’ll be able to control and cure them before it gets severe. 

When Can You Take a Shower?

After 48 hours of your surgery, you can take a shower, but you’re not allowed to stay in a bathtub. For that, you should wait about one week. 

How You Should Take Care of Your Wounds After Weight Loss Surgery

Your wounds are not very big and are mostly small incisions because of the laparoscopic surgery. Some bandages that look like white tapes are placed on these small spots. If they become a little red or white or yellow liquids come out of them, do not worry, it is very normal; unless it becomes excessive. If the bandages don’t fall after 5 to 7 days, you can take them off yourself. Check them every day. If you see any signs of infections, or the liquid becomes smelly and more than usual, call your doctor. The scars may still stay a bit red or purple depending on the type of your skin. If you don’t have any marks remaining at all, use sunscreen whenever your abdominal skin is exposed to the sun. 

How to Manage Pain

Don’t forget that you have experienced an operation. Of course, you’ll have some pain, especially from your incisions. But it becomes better during the first three days.Your doctor will prescribe some painkillers before you are discharged. The key point is not to let your pain become intolerable. According to this pain scale, take your pills whenever you feel pain between 3 and 4. 

Keep Yourself Motivated

There might be times after the surgery that you’ll feel demotivated to stay committed to the changes you’ve made in your life. Here are some tips that will help you regain your motivation:

Carry on with Your JourneyBelieve it or not, you just took the first step of your bariatric surgery journey. But you only have a general image of what it is and there are still essential pieces to complete this puzzle and decide whether you want to have bariatric surgery and if yes, which type suits you best, what its risks are and where to have the surgery to enjoy both the most affordable prices and ultimate expertise. Let’s move on to the next chapter to read everything about weight loss surgery types.  

You’ve read the basics of bariatric surgery and its most common types in the two previous chapters. However, it is not the right time to pick your surgical therapy of choice. We’ve written this chapter with informational purposes to give you vital knowledge to be able to make this critical decision.Just like other surgical procedures, bariatric surgery has its own risks. Yes, it helps you lose weight, improves your self-esteem, reduces the actual rate of death by eliminating serious complications caused by morbid obesity. In other words, bariatric surgery changes your life forever. But in order to solve a problem, you don’t want to make another one. So, it is significant for bariatric surgery candidates to be totally aware of all the aspects of weight loss surgery process and each and every state their bodies will go through before, during, and after the surgical procedure.What you should know is:-The early complications, which are possible occur within a short time after bariatric surgery procedure.- The acute and long-term risk percentages that might affect your life months or years after the surgical weight-loss procedures.- The surgical risks during the process.- The postoperative complications after each type of surgery.- Psychological and emotional consequences after surgical treatment of morbid obesity.- And finally, if there is anything you can do to decrease complication rates.Ready to go into these topics?Well, let’s begin.

Why Bariatric Surgery Has Some Health Risks?

Bariatric surgery is usually followed by some complications simply because of two reasons:1- First of all, after surgical treatment, either the amount of your food intake declines or your body absorbs fewer nutrients. As a result, you might face mineral and vitamin deficiencies and the other challenges followed by it.2- The second reason is that all types of surgery have certain complication rates and bariatric surgery is not an exception.

The Most Common Early Complications of Bariatric Surgery

The truth is that weight loss surgery is not among the high-risk surgeries that are currently performed. According to North Bristol NHS Trust, about 1% of bariatric patients deal with a problem after gastric band surgery. However, everything changes from patient to patient according to their health history and mental circumstances.Because sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass are more complicated procedures, the complication risk is about 3%. Also, this number has become lower over time since a lot of research has been done in this field to make bariatric abdominal operations safer and it will continue to decrease in the future as well.Here’s a list of the most common post-surgical risks that may threaten your health right away or just a few days after surgery:

1- Leakage

• Anastomotic leak is one of the most common complications that will mostly occur till 3 days after the gastrointestinal surgery.
• Bariatric procedures surgeons should watch patients after the surgery and check their heartbeat from time to time. Rapid heart rate, over 120 bpm, fever, and any abdominal pain are worrisome signs of leaks.
• If diagnosed early and treated in the very beginning, there is almost nothing to worry about.

2- Bleeding

• Unfortunately, bleeding is one of the most common postoperative complications and is seen in up to 11% of gastric sleeve and gastric bypass procedures.
• But fortunately, in 85% of these cases, it is possible to stop the bleeding without surgical operations.
• There are numerous non-operative methods that will help surgeons control and manage bleeding, hemodynamic monitoring, serial hematocrit, and blood product transfusions, to name a few.
• If your surgeon fails to manage bleeding through non-surgical ways, you’ll need emergency surgical management.

3- Bowel Obstruction

• Small bowel obstruction or SBO mostly occurs after gastric bypass surgery.
• It mostly occurs because of an internal hernia.
• Its possibility varies from 0 to 5%.

4- Pulmonary Artery Embolism

• Pulmonary embolism or PE is one of the most common complications, especially after gastric bypass.
• Increased age and higher body mass index (BMI) escalate its possibility.
• The risk of this complication exists until weeks after the surgery. So, PE prophylaxis – a treatment plan for preventing pulmonary embolism – is necessary during this period.

The Most Common Late Complications of Bariatric Surgery

Any complications that occur after 30 days of your surgery are considered in the long-term or late ones.

1- Dumping Syndrome

Dumping syndrome is one of the most common drawbacks of weight loss surgery. It is caused because consumed food does not undergo complete digestion and is dumped into the large intestine.

2- Internal Hernia

– There is a higher chance of incisional hernias after open gastric bypass, about 20%.- The majority of cases with internal hernias happened between 6 and 24 months after the operation.

3- Low Blood Sugar

– Hypoglycemia is a condition when excess insulin is produced in patients’ bodies, which leads to a quick reduction of glucose.- It occurs because due to the metabolic changes caused by stomach surgery.- During your follow-up sessions, ask your doctor for blood sugar control.4- MalnutritionIt is a part of your surgeon’s responsibility to warn you about the possibility of malnutrition after surgery. This issue occurs mainly because of some changes in absorption of vitamins and absorption of calories overall. It is observed in two types:- Protein-energy malnutrition- Lack of micronutrients such as iron, vitamin B, Vitamin A, folate, and etc.

5- Ulcer

– Ulcers may occur within weeks or years after the surgery.

– They usually cause pain, bleeding, or a hole in your stomach.

– Smoking is one of the main causes of ulcers after weight-loss operation.

– It can be treated using specific medications prescribed by your doctor.

6- Acid Reflux

– Acid reflux usually occurs after gastric sleeve surgery or any other type of restrictive surgery when the size of the stomach is decreased.- The reduction of the stomach causes pressure in the stomach, which leads to weakening in the lower esophageal sphincter.

Severe Obesity Surgery Risks by Types

Some obesity surgery complications are common between all or most types, but some other are specific to just one of them. If you’ve read the previous chapter on the types of surgery, here’s an opportunity to complete your information by comparing their risks in more detail.

Psychological Effects of Bariatric Surgery

Weight loss stomach surgery involves noticeable lifestyle changes, which result in significant psychological impacts on obese patients. Some of these changes are positive, yet some other are annoying.The streamlined management of obesity after the operation makes life more enjoyable. A notable boost in your confidence and self-esteem is the major psychological outcome of durable weight loss and reaching your ideal body weight. However, adjusting to the post-operative life is not easy for all patients. As a consequence, they might experience depression, anxiety, or mood swings.Another reason that strengthens patient’s inability in getting along with their new life is the lack of support from their friends and family members.The more you change your mindset and prepare yourself before the surgery, the less are the chances of emotional difficulties after the procedure.In addition to that, it is vital that you make your beloved ones aware of your situation and educate them to truly understand what your body is going through.After that, reaching your ideal weight will be so much easier!

How to Reduce the Risks of Bariatric Surgery

1- Educate yourself.2- Inform your family and friends of your situation.3- Do a lot of research before choosing your surgeon.4- Lose some weight before surgery.5- Inform your doctor of all your medical history.6- Start doing exercise as soon as possible.

1- Educate Yourself

Do thorough research about:

• Whether you’re a good candidate for any type of weight loss surgery.
• Which type is better for your condition.
• The risks after each weight loss abdominal surgery.
• What changes you should make in your life both before and after the surgery.
• Which weight-related comorbidity is caused by each type.

2- Inform Your Family and Friends

• You need their support, so, they should tell them exactly the changes you’re going through.
• Long-term weight loss, both before and after the surgery can be really difficult if they do not help you.
• After the surgery, you cannot eat anything you want. So, they should be careful what they eat when you’re present in order not to tempt you to eat any unhealthy food.
• An increase in suicide risk has been observed in some cases. Therefore, it is vital for you to have the emotional support of your family and friends, at least till you get used to your new lifestyle.

3- Do a Lot of Research Before Choosing Your Surgeon

• Your surgeon’s expertise not only affects the success of your surgery but also to what extent you experience postoperative complications.
• In case of any issue after the surgery, your surgeon’s attention and proficiency are effective in how they manage your complications.

4- Lose Some Weight Before Laparoscopic Surgery

• One of the factors that influence the safety of your surgery is your BMI, which is exactly why some surgeons help their patients experience some excess body fat loss before the surgery.

5- Inform Your Doctor of Your Medical History

• Obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease are the two main medical conditions that increase the risk of operation. Your doctor must be aware of them so that they will be more sensitive to these issues.
• There are three major risks that if you experience before the surgery, it is possible that you experience them again after the surgery:

– Deep vein blood clots- Blood clotting difficulties- Pulmonary embolism

• Also, cooperate during your psychological assessment and let your psychologist become totally aware of your mental state.

6- Start Doing Exercise as Soon as Possible

• The sooner you restart physical activity, the faster your healthy weight loss process will be and of course, you will have to deal with fewer complications and no inadequate weight loss.
• Regular exercise eliminates your anxiety and regulates your hormones. So, the risk of psychological complications is less when you are active.
• Try to move as soon as you can and you’ll be able to get back to your daily activities soon.
• Staying active also prevents any future weight regain.

With all These Risks, Why Should I Consider Bariatric Surgery?

The answer is simple: the risks of morbid obesity are much greater than the risks of weight loss surgery.1. In 97% of cases, quality of life improvements will occur.2. You will be at a lower risk of heart disease.3.  High blood pressure normalizes up to 60%.4. Sleep apnea has been resolved in 85% of cases.5. High or complete remission of type 2 diabetes will be achieved.6. Depression is cured in 55% of patients.7. Blood Cholesterol decreases after 60% of surgery cases.8. Fatty liver is improved in 90% of cases.9. Increased fertility in both men and women.10. Resolution of PCOS in women.11. The alleviation of joint and back problems.12. Overall reduction in mortality rates caused by obesity.and so on…So, the question is, why not bariatric surgery?If you think changing your lifestyle picking up new eating habits before and after weight loss surgery is difficult, you must definitely take a look at the next chapter where we provide you with tips on picking up new eating habits before and after weight loss surgery.Have you decided the type of your surgery? If you haven’t decided yet, maybe you should review the previous chapter on types of surgery.

Our journey is coming to an end. After these final chapters, your information will be enough to make a life-changing decision on whether to go for a weight loss surgery or not. But before jumping to the next chapter, weight loss surgery diet before and after the operation, let’s take a short quiz. Just see how many of the below questions you can answer. Are you ready?

1- Why do overweight or obese patients choose bariatric surgery?

2- What are the preoperative weight loss requirements?

3- What are the most popular types of this operation?

4- What is the average weight loss after each surgery?

5- What changes should you make in your lifestyle before and after the surgery?

6- How much is the cost of different procedures?

7- What are the long-term and short-term post-surgery risks?

8- How can you reduce the risks of surgery?

Well, what’s your score? If you couldn’t answer all of them, make sure to take another look at the previous chapters. You don’t want to miss even one piece of information! In case you have given the right answer to question number 5, you must know how to follow a healthy diet and its necessity. In this chapter, we’ll cover all the eating tips you should be aware of weeks before the surgery, and also the ones you need to follow during specific periods after your surgery in order to have healthy nutritional management. Please note that these suggestions might not be beneficial for everyone, even though the main principles are mostly the same. So, make sure to consult with your doctor about your diet before and after the surgery.

Pre-Operative Weight Loss Diet

Pre-op diet both prepares you mentally for the post-op process and prepares you physically for the surgery by decreasing the complication risks. This diet is also known as liver-shrinking diet. A fatty liver makes the surgery hard for the surgeon, so they ask you to shrink your liver by doing a pre-operative diet.

Basically, this diet is high in protein and low in carbs. In this way, the body preserves the muscles and shrinks the fat cells at the first stage. Then, the fat cells are filled with water because the body doesn’t want to lose its emergency fuel. But when the water is also emptied from the cells, the fat amount decreases around the liver.

Why pre-op diet?

In order to decrease the possibility of different risks of complications, you need to follow a set of instructions to reduce the size of your liver during the preoperative period. Even a modest weight loss may increase the success rate of surgery. However, your doctor is in charge of identifying the need for pre-op weight loss. So, in case they advise you to go on a specific diet during a particular time before your surgery, you must stick to this diet and follow it word by word, otherwise, you will put yourself at high risk, and even there’s a chance your doctor cancels your surgery.

Why Do Some Surgeons Require Pre-op Diet for Gastric Sleeve and Others Don’t?

Those who suggest pre-op diet hide behind the fact that body fat alters the organ, and when correlated with anesthesia, the organs are affected much more badly. So, before surgery, they aim to decrease the fat for patients to have a lower BMI.

Some other surgeons, on the other hand, defend that as long as the patient’s BMI is not greater than 50, there is no point in following a diet plan. Before deciding to have the surgery, these patients already try dieting, exercising, detoxing and basically, they have enough of it. As the last chance to lose weight, they consider bariatric surgery. Especially, gastric sleeve mortality rate is lower than %1. That’s why, surgeons do not want to bother their patients, as the diet is not going to affect their well-beings after the surgery.

Who is it for?

Patients whose BMI is equal to or greater than 50 have higher complication risks during and after the surgery. Obese patients do not suffer not only from obesity but also other metabolic and cardiovascular diseases or syndromes. Regarding these conditions, you may be obliged to do a diet to minimize complication risks. It is illegal to operate on a patient whose BMI is equal to or greater than 63. These patients will be on a diet until their surgeons do not see the surgery is risky for the patient.

What to Eat

If your surgeon or dietitian recommended you a pre-op diet, here is an idea to what to consume. Protein shakes, and other high-protein, easy-to-digest food will be the most part of your pre-op diet. Protein is necessary for muscle tissue protection. As a consequence, during the weight loss process, you will lose fat, not muscles. Here’s a sample diet you can follow 2 to 3 days a week. You can ask your doctor for more eating plans.

Breakfast	2 boiled eggs, 200 ml protein shake (unsweetened), 5 olives and unlimited seasonal greens
Lunch	120 gr lean meat/chicken/fish, boiled vegetables
Snack	1 portion fresh fruit
Dinner	120 gr lean meat/chicken/fish, boiled vegetables, non-fat yogurt and seasonal salad
Snack	10-12 raw almonds

During the day, do not forget to drink approximately 85 oz of water; you should keep yourself hydrated. As much as you consume water, the weight loss process will be so much faster.

Approximately 2 days before the surgery, you need to transition to a mostly liquid or all-liquid diet. But the final decision is made by your doctor. Please, do not eat anything out of their prescriptions. Also, make sure to ask your anesthesiologist about the food and drinks you can or can’t have before the surgery.

Other Foods and Drinks to Consume During the Pre-op Diet

• Protein shakes
• Sugar-free drinks
• Drinks without caffeine
• Soup broth
• Vegetable juice

If your surgeon approves, you can consume one to two daily servings of lean meat or vegetables.

Exercise Before Weight Loss Surgery

Don’t assume your excess weight loss journey starts after the operation, but it begins the exact moment you decide to undergo surgery. As the famous aphorism suggests, fake it till you make it. You should start to insert the post-surgery changes into your life, even before the actual surgery day. You don’t need to become a pro in such a short time. Even a 10-min walk every day is much better than nothing. Imagine yourself with your ideal body weight. This is the strongest motivation that will keep you moving before the surgery and even long after that.

Post-Operative Weight Loss Diet

A post-surgery diet consists of 4 phases, each of which helps your body to heal and accelerate long-term weight loss. We’ll go through each of them in the following sections. But before we take a closer look at each phase, let’s see what we mean when we say ounce, cups, teaspoon, and other portion measurements.

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Phase 1 of the Post-Op Diet: Clear Liquid Diet

This stage starts immediately after your surgery, from your hospital stay, and after your discharge. Its duration is usually different for gastric bypass surgery, sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass with duodenal switch, and lap band patients: Gastric sleeve and gastric bypass patients ==> Weeks 1 and 2 Lap band patients ==> Week 1 Attention! Stay hydrated. That’s the first and foremost rule of this period.

Diet Guidelines to Keep Well Hydrated

• Keep drinking liquids

You have to sip 48–64 ounces of fluids every day, which is on average, seven 8-ounce cups of drinks.

• Stay away from fruit juices

Overall, fruit juices are perfect for bariatric patients, but in the beginning, due to the possibility of nausea or diarrhea, you’d better avoid them.

• Not too hot, not too cold

Extremely hot or cold drinks may cause discomfort as your stomach is not completely healed yet. After maybe the 6th week, you can start to drink hot or cold fluids. Remember, your stomach is still recovering from bariatric surgery. It’s common to experience nausea or vomiting at this point. Please keep yourself hydrated.

More Options for a Clear Liquid Diet

Fruit Juices	Broths	Other Drinks
AppleGrapeCranberry	Clear beefChickenVegetable	WaterIce chipsCoffee or tea with no caffeineLow-calorie sports drinks

After visiting your surgeon, they will tell you if you’re ready to move to the next stage. So, this phase might become less or more based on your doctor’s diagnosis. However, it usually takes two weeks for most bariatric patients.

Phase 1/B, for Gastric Banding Patients: Full Liquid Diet

This phase is mainly for gastric banding patients and it usually starts from the end of week one and lasts for about a week.

What to Eat During the Second Week After Laparoscopic Adjustable Gastric Band

Keep drinking 48–64 ounces of fluids per day. Add more fluids to your diet:

Beverages	Protein Supplements	Other Drinks
Liquid replacements for solid foodSkim milk with protein powder	Protein supplements after each meal	Non-fat yogurt

Remember, nausea and vomiting are normal after gastric banding because your body is still recovering. Just stay hydrated and you’ll fully recover soon.

Phase 2 of Post-Surgery Diet: Pureed Foods

(Weeks 3 and 4) After a thorough examination, your surgeon will ask you to proceed to the next phase, which requires pureeing your food. Patients should mostly start this stage 3 weeks after surgery and follow this diet for about two weeks. Main goals of pureed food diet are:

• Provide more variety, nutrients, and fiber
• Include high-protein food in the post-surgery diet
• Taking chewable vitamin supplements with minerals

Gastric bypass patients should take their protein supplements after each meal. Protein matters so much in your post-surgery life that we’ve devoted one part of this article to it. You’ll read more about its significance later. Laparoscopic adjustable gastric band patients can take the required protein supplements just as they did in the first stage.

Points to Remember Regarding Drinking Liquids

• At least 30 minutes after each meal is the best time to consume protein supplements or protein shakes (8 ounces) in addition to sugar-free liquids.
• Do not drink too much drinks at once and then non for 5 or more hours. There should be 3-hour intervals between drinking liquids.
• Do not drink any fluids, including water, for at least 30 minutes before and after your meal.

Pureed Food Ideas

Proteins	Vegetables	Fruits	Grains
Sugar-free, zero or low-fat yogurtStrained cream soups (celery, potato, mushroom, or chicken made with skim milk)Skim milk with half a scoop of protein powderLow or no-fat cottage cheeselow or no-fat Ricotta cheeseScrambled eggs or egg substituteBeef, chicken, or turkeyWhitefish (cod, haddock, orange roughy)Canned chicken breastCanned tuna fish in water	Tomato juiceDiet V-8 Splash® or V-8 Juice®High-protein vegetables like spinach, carrots, and green beans	100% fruit juices (apple, grape, cranberry)Light juices sweetened with non-nutritive sweetener (aspartame, acesulfame, and potassium)ApplesauceBananas or canned fruits in their own juicesPeaches, apricots, pears, pineapples, and melons	Cream of wheat or cream of riceFarinaGritsMashed potatoes/sweet potatoesWinter squash

The non-fluid items of the above-mentioned table must be mashed and pureed. Remember that because this is a pureed food phase, not even soft food is allowed yet. You don’t know how to puree food? Read the next part then.

How to Puree Foods

1- After cutting boiled food into small pieces, put them in a blender or any kind of food processor. 2- Add some liquid to it. You can use skim milk in this phase as the liquid of your pureed food. Both are also a good option. 3- Puree your food until it gets totally smooth. Your pureed food, as soft as baby food, is ready to be eaten!

Phase 3 of Post-Op Diet: Adaptive/soft Diet

* Months 2 and 3 for Gastric Sleeve and Gastric Bypass Patients * Weeks 5 and 6 for Gastric Banding Patients

Now your stomach is fairly healed and ready to digest soft, solid pieces of food. So, you can add fish, cooked vegetables, meat, chicken, and other soft foods to your diet. It is necessary for women to use about 50 grams of protein and for men to use 60 grams of protein on a daily basis. You can first eat high-protein food, and then continue with the rest of your meal, so in case you become full up, your body has received the necessary amount of protein. Don’t forget your daily chewable vitamin supplements and of course, drink plenty of water and fluids.

Food to Avoid

Foods to Avoid During Phase 3 of Post-Op Diet

Raw vegetablesSkins and seeds on fruits and vegetablesBreadFatty foodFried foods like chips

Phase 4 of Diet After Weight Loss Surgery: Stabilization Diet

The last phase of your post-surgery diet begins at some point between months 4 and 6 after the operation and usually takes more than months after surgery. If your doctor is sure your body is ready for this phase, they will ask you to start eating food with more normal consistency. However, you can’t ever go back to your eating habits and regular diet before surgery. It is better to follow this diet until you get the healthy weight you had in mind before surgery. Rapid weight loss enables you to pass this stage faster.

Points to Remember During Phase 4 of Post-Op Diet

• Do not miss any of your three meals a day.
• Make sure to keep your daily meals well-balanced.
• Have drinks with 0 calories during the day, but not with your meals.
• Pay attention to eat rich in nutritious foods. So, your pieces of food intake must be all nutrient-dense to avoid malnutrition.
• Steer clear of fatty or sugary food with no protein, minerals, or vitamins.
• Stay with your vitamin supplement with minerals.
• If the amount of food your body can tolerate is not enough, you can divide your three meals into 6 parts and eat more than 3 times a day.
• Stay away from liquids less than 30 minutes from your meals.

What to Eat During Phase 4 of Post-Op Diet

Proteins	Vegetables	Fruits	Grain
Different types of fish and shellfishChopped Turkey breastChopped chicken breastLow-fat cheese (sliced)Boiled eggs (mostly egg whites)Poached eggsSoups with skim milk	Cooked vegetablesCanned vegetables	Canned fruitSoft fruit without skin (bananas, apples, peaches, pears	Sugar-free porridgeNo sugar cereals (with skim milk)Baked potatoes (sweet or normal)Pasta, noodles, or white rice (boiled)

Food to Avoid

You should not consume hard-to-digest food at all, otherwise, you will feel a lot of discomforts:

• Fatty foods such as fast food, burgers, chips, fried food, etc.
• Popcorn
• Dried fruit
• Bread
• Muffins
• Carbonated beverages
• Crunchy foods
• Spicy foods
• Junk food
• Alcoholic beverages

More Tips on Post-Surgery Eating Habits

1- Your dietary intake is different from your food intake before weight-loss operation. The picture below clearly shows how your plate should look like after weight loss surgery.

2- From now on, everything in your life should change. You don’t want to consume unhealthy food anymore. So, the first step is to stop buying them. Fill your fridge with healthy nutrients and welcome them to your life.

How to Reduce Post-Op Risks through Healthy Eating Habits

Surgery makes major changes in your body and in case you do not take care of your health, you will face uncomfortable surgical complications. Systematic review shows patients can eliminate a lot of these risks with new healthy eating habits they adopt. A healthy diet even reduces the possibility of mortality in patients to some extent.

Risks	Solution
Dumping Syndrome	Drink 64 ounces of liquids, including water, per dayDo not drink liquids with mealsDo not consume too many simple carbohydrates (pasta, rice, and potatoes)
Dehydration	Drink a lot of water and other healthy, sugar-free liquids every day
Constipation	Eat rich in fiber foodsExercise on a daily basisEat more slowlyDrink a lot of fluids
Lactose Intolerance	Drink lactose-free fluidsAfter consulting with your doctor, take lactate enzyme tablets
Heartburn	Do not drink too cold fluidsAvoid or limit consumption of fatty or gassy foodsYour last meal should be at least two hours before going to bed
Blockage of the opening of the stomach pouch	Chew your meals a lot, carefully, and slowlyMoving to the next phase of your diet without consulting with both your surgeon and dietitian is not recommended at all and may cause stretching of your stomach.Slowly move from one phase to another.

 

Protein Is Important

During your weight loss process, what you want to lose is the fat stored in your body, not your muscle mass. To protect your muscle mass and have enough energy to do your daily tasks, you need to increase the amount of your protein intake. It also prevents thin hair and weak nails. But the only way to get that protein to your muscles and strengthen them is to eat 60 to 80 grams of protein per day. Moreover, medical evidence proves more muscles prevent saggy or excess skin after weight loss surgery. Protein shakes are good sources of protein both before and after the surgery. Here’s the anatomy of your protein smoothies:

You can choose different ingredients for your protein shake from the foods and drinks we mentioned in this article. But still, it’d be better to check with your doctor as well. Also, here’s a list of ideas you can use for your post or pre-bariatric surgery protein smoothies.

Eating which types of food is your most favourite? Which restriction is the most difficult one for you? Well, are you ready for the last chapters? So, let’s move on to our guide on the costs of all bariatric surgeries and the factors that influence these prices.

Of all the side effects that bariatric patients might face after the operation, hair loss is one of the most irritating ones. Of course, the main reason people undergo any type of weight loss surgery is to regain their health, but the importance of one’s appearance is undeniable for patients, which is why hair loss is one of their biggest concerns. Hair loss occurs for many reasons with or without surgery. But each time you face this problem, first you need to find its reason, otherwise, treatment is almost impossible.What you will read in this blog post is all the possible reasons for hair loss after weight loss surgery, a more common type of hair loss, alongside the solutions that will help you get rid of it and feel better about yourself. 

Gastric Bypass/Gastric Sleeve and Hair Loss

Sudden hair loss after surgery usually happens when patients undergo more serious surgery types such as and gastric bypass and gastric sleeve operation. About 30 to 40% of obese patients experience an incidence of hair loss to some extent due to the extreme changes in patient’s eating habits, nutrition absorption, and most importantly rapid weight loss. This condition mostly happens in younger women.

Do Gastric Banding Patients Experience Weight Loss?

Since the weight loss process is more gradual in the case of lap-band procedure patients, there is 0 or little chance of hair loss among them. However, other conditions such as a feeling of psychological stress also increase the rate of hair loss. So, there is a chance that some gastric band patients experience hair loss.Lap-Band patients, however, lose weight gradually and have less risk of hair loss. This is because they lose weight at a slower rate when compared to other bariatric surgery patients, and don’t suffer from a high level of nutrient deficiency.

Telogen Effluvium

Telogen Effluvium, or telogen phase, is when your hair suddenly starts to fall due to mental stress or any other reason. Excessive hair loss after sleeve gastrectomy or other types of bariatric surgery is included in this type of hair fall.In order to understand the hair growth cycle, let’s take a look at this picture: As you can see, hair growth consists of three stages. The first stage is the anagen phase, that is, the growth phase of hair. The second stage is catagen, the transition stage of hair to telogen. The third stage is telogen, that is, the falling also called the resting, stage of hair.For a scalp that is not experiencing hair loss about 5-15% of our hair is in the resting phase at any given time.At least 5% to 15% of each individual’s hair is in the resting phase. This stage lasts an average of 6 months.The hair that falls out after operation for weight loss is most likely your hair that is in the resting phase. But don’t worry, you will have full hair regrowth.

Nutritional Deficiencies

Malabsorption and reduction in food intake after weight loss operation makes your body prioritize the number of nutritions it gets. So, the majority of nutritional resources you get into your body go to more vital organs like your heart and brain and less will be left for the health of other parts like your hair.According to a study published on National Library of Medicine, most hair loss patients had low levels of zinc and iron. Another study found out younger women and people with lower levels of Zinc, Vitamin B9 (folic acid), and protein have more potential for hair loss. Also, people with weaker medical conditions must be more careful with their diet.

How to Stop Hair Loss After Bariatric Surgery

As you saw in the previous section, what you eat and the nutrition your body receives directly affect the loss of hair after operation. So, among all hair loss treatments, the first step is to make sure your body is getting what it needs.Remember, there are for sure other resources that are rich in these nutrients, but these are the ones that fit your post-op diet. However, it is best if you consult with your dietitian.The below-mentioned resources are necessary for the growth of your hair. You can see lack of them results in.

Nutritions	Signs of Malnutrition	Supplements
Iron	It causes hair loss mostly in the form of thinning hair.	Iron Supplements: Lean meats, eggs, green leafy vegetables, molasses, dried fruits, and grains are good foods for your iron-rich diet.
Zinc	It causes hair loss mostly in the form of thinning and brittle hair.	Zinc supplement: Fish, oysters, wheat germ, almonds, milk, and eggs are both good for your diet and rich in zinc
Protein	It causes post-bariatric hair loss mostly in the form of thinning hair, change of color, dry hair.	Protein Supplements: Red meat, lean white meat, milk, eggs, yogurt, cheese, pumpkin seeds, and almonds, you prefer protein-rich foods
Copper	Lack of copper results in thinning hair or a change of color.	Copper Resources: Spinach, parsley, fennel, eggplant, sunflower seeds, pumpkin, lentils, cabbage, basil, pumpkin seeds, broccoli, walnuts, liver, and tofu
Vitamins A & C	Brittle hair is the main result of low levels of Vitamins A & C.	Vitamins A & C Resources: Lemon, green and red pepper, tomato, arugula, parsley, lettuce, orange, tangerine, strawberry, kiwi pineapple, and grapefruit
Niacin (Vitamin B3)	It causes noticeable hair loss mostly in the form of thinning hair.	Vitamin B3 Resources: Meat, fish, liver, all poultry, legumes, and green leafy vegetables are rich in niacin

How Long Will Post-Op Hair Fall Last?

Hair fall mostly starts a short while after the major surgery and continues up to 4 months, in some 6 months after surgery. If you consult with your bariatric doctor, they must tell you to pass this time with patience and following your post-op diet.Your hair follicles aren’t damaged during telogen effluvium. So, after a few months, when your body is fairly recovered and used to its new circumstances, it will not only stop but grow fully again.

When Should I Visit a doctor?

If 6 months passed and you still experience significant post-bariatric hair loss, it means the problem is not solved. You might be under pressure, having excess stress, or not getting enough nutrients.You can take some blood tests that measure all the elements in your body to see what is missing. If everything is OK, you should ask for more professional help. But remember, do NOT panic at all. Panicking just makes it worse. Stress is the last thing you need right now.Let’s have a review!Watch out for any type of- Vitamin deficiency- Protein deficiencies- Low Iron levels- Low levels of protein intake- Micronutrient deficiency- Biotin Deficiency- Low folic acid levelsAnd remember, avoid extreme dieting. You want to reach your weight loss goals as soon as possible, but not at the cost of your health.

Let me, as a bariatric surgeon, tell you the most important thing about bariatric surgery: you won’t achieve your ideal result unless you change your lifestyle both before and after a weight-loss operation.

So, if you’re not ready to do regular exercise after bariatric surgery, either forget it right now or try to make yourself prepared for this lifetime change.

You cannot expect to lose most of your extra weight and stay fit for the rest of your life if you don’t change your mindset, eating habits, and the frequency of your physical activities.

If you’re ready to take this step but don’t know where to start, this is the right article to read. You have to know when to start exercise after surgery. Which activities are better for each step. Moreover, what are the benefits of a regular exercise plan, and how it guarantees sustained weight loss?

Benefits of Exercise after Weight-Loss Surgery

As Nietzsche’s famous saying suggests, “If you know the why, you can live anyhow.” So, before I give you the details about your exercise program, take a look at the reasons for doing regular activities.

– Sustained and rapid weight loss

– Reduction in the risk of heart disease

– Improving muscle strength

– Preventing post-op depression

– Increasing metabolic rate

– Improving your self-confidence and self-esteem

– Decreasing or eliminating post-op constipation

– Better wound healing

– Retaining mobility

– Improved joint stability

– Reducing the risk of cancer

– Improving blood circulation

– Tightening your muscles and skin

– Reducing the risk of blood clots

This list can go on and on because the benefits of being physically active are uncountable even for people who did not have weight loss surgery. Remember, after bariatric surgery, you become lighter, and moving becomes easier. And of course, as you have an active lifestyle, you become lighter and healthier. So, losing weight and work out are complementary. They both enhance each other and ultimately, increase the quality of your life.

When to Start Exercise after Bariatric Surgery

The answer depends on your type of surgery in addition to your individual circumstances. Your doctor might ask you to walk for a couple of minutes the day after the surgery. This walking time will be more over time.

Types of Post-Operation Physical Activities

Bariatric patients have exercise routines tailored for themselves by their surgeon and their team of specialists. These routines include three main types of activities: Cardio, strength workout, and flexibility exercise.

Let’s see which activities belong to which group and you should start them at which point of your post-op life.

Cardio and Calorie Burning

Cardio activities mostly help you burn calories and get more energy. Other benefits of cardio exercise include:

– Better sleep

– Increase in blood flow

–  Protecting against Alzheimer

– Improving blood sugar control

– Enhancing sexual well-being

– Boosting metabolism

– Increasing self-confidence by producing more endorphins

– Improving your energy levels

– Better management of anxiety

Cardio Activities Early after Surgery

You should avoid heavy, too-long activities after surgery. Walking, swimming and cycling are beneficial cardio exercises for obese patients in the early stages of their post-op life.

Walking starts from the day after your surgery. But it should not be very long. Till the second or third week, it’d be better if you do not walk more than 20-30 minutes but keep it regularly even if it’s only 5-10 minutes a day. Walking decreases the risk of complications and expedites your recovery.

After the third week, you can add swimming and cycling to your exercise program. However, do not overdo it. The most important point about the type of your activities is that you should enjoy them. If you don’t like swimming or walking, there are many other cardio activities you can take in. It would be better if you do cardio exercises at least two days per week.

Look at this chart and find your favorite activity alongside the number of calories you burn during each one (This amount varies depending on weight loss surgery patients’ weight and the percentage of fat and muscles in your body).

	155 lbs	185 lbs
Running	808	965
Jogging	492	587
Bicycling	596	710
Aerobic Exercises	492	587
Hiking	421	503
Swimming	492	587
Skipping Rope	562	671
Calisthenics	596	710

Muscle Strengthening Activities

When you lose weight, you should be careful to lose fat not muscles. Less fat is beneficial to your health, but you don’t want thin and weak muscles at all. Also, strengthening your muscles is one of the ways to enhance your lean muscle mass and lean body mass (total weight – fat mass).

Strength training is not just about stronger muscles, but also increasing our bone strength. Greater muscle mass and stronger bones is synonymous with being able to do more physical activities.

The main way to strengthen your muscles is by lifting weights. Of course, resistance training is also important. If your muscles are not that strong enough, you start with little steps. Use light weights, 1 to 5 pounds, and increase them once you feel the task is becoming easy for your muscle.

Some of the most popular muscle strengthening exercises are squats and lunges in addition to lifting weights. Don’t forget sit-ups and crunches. You can start with 3 sets of 15-20 reps. But adapt it with your body’s strength. You don’t want it to be too hard, but not too easy.

Let’s review strength training benefits for bariatric patients:

Flexibility Training

Flexibility training protects your body from any probable damages after a post-bariatric workout. You might feel tightening or pain in your muscles. If you feel sore or tight after your bariatric workout, flexibility training can help. It can also help you avoid straining yourself when you’re running or lifting weights.

The greatest flexibility exercise is stretching. Here are a few examples of stretching practices you can do at home:

One more tip: do NOT forget to warm-ups before starting your exercise and cool down after it’s finished. Also, don’t think you should keep this plan till 5 or 6 months after surgery. This is your new lifestyle forever 🙂

Does Exercise Help Excess Skin After Weight Loss Surgery?

Weight loss surgery helps you get rid of the excess fat stored in your body but leaves you with saggy skin. To what extent you face this challenge depends on different factors including your genes. But one of the ways that firm up your skin is muscle toning.

Obesity causes folds and rolls in your skin, especially in the abdominal area, breasts, and arms. But muscle toning tightens your skin, which results in less excess skin after weight loss. There are other solutions for this problem in case exercise is not enough. Take a look at the most effective solutions for saggy skin after bariatric surgery.

Your Frequently Asked Questions

I want to undergo weight loss surgery because I can’t lose weight with exercise, why do I have to do sports after the surgery?

After weight loss surgery, you don’t do exercise to lose weight. The main part of losing weight is gained because of your surgery and diet. As you’ve read in this blog post, lasting weight loss is only one of the benefits of an exercise routine in your post-operation life.

You can eliminate the complaints such as skin sagging and constipation that you will encounter after the surgery by exercising.

Is weight loss more successful if I do exercise?

Exercising can make your weight loss much more successful as it burns excess calories, fat and eliminates extra weight. If you want long-term success, you need exercise.

When can I do sports after gastric sleeve?

For a normal workout, you should wait for 2 to 3 weeks after surgery. But during this time you can take short simple walks.

Home workout or gym workout, which one is more effective?

It will be more convenient for you to start with home exercise to lose weight. As your weight loss level increases, you will be able to use the equipment in the fitness centers. You can also consult with a fitness professional if you feel you need motivation and guidance.