On average we expect weight loss results for gastric bypass patients to be approx. 70% of their excess weight*. Obviously some people will do better and some not as well as this.
Yes. There is invariably some discomfort following the gastric bypass operation, the main source for which is the port entry sites which are made through the abdominal wall and through which the operating instruments and camera were passed. In addition you may experience some left shoulder pain after gastric bypass, which may be an effect of the gas (carbon dioxide) used to inflate the abdomen. But overall, pain is not a marked feature and whatever discomfort does occur, usually responds well to simple painkillers.
You should not drive for 2-3 days after your operation to allow the effects of the anaesthetic and any post-operative analgesia (painkillers) to wear off. Thereafter you may find driving a little uncomfortable until the port sites have fully healed, usually around 10 days.
This depends upon what you do for a living, but if you have a sedentary occupation you can generally expect to be back at work about 2 weeks after gastric bypass, after which time the wounds should have healed and you will be feeling more comfortable. If you have a physically demanding job involving lifting etc, you may need a little longer. The bowel and stomach inside your abdomen will be healed in around 6-8 weeks, so during this period it is important that you follow the nutritional guidelines as closely as you can.
Generally there is minimal scarring with a gastric bypass. The operating ports are placed in the abdomen through 5 narrow (0.5 cm) incisions which are sutured and/or glued and will normally heal in about 10-14 days. The scars should fade gradually. Some individuals have a greater tendency to form keloid which may result in thicker and more prominent scars.
Possibly. As you eat less the amount of residue (especially fibre) in your diet falls and your bowel activity will decrease. If you do become constipated, there are plenty of effective remedies which can deal with the problem. You will be given advice about this later.
Yes. There is evidence to show that weight regain can occur following a gastric bypass, usually because patients return to old eating habits. It is important to remember that the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is not a “cure” for your weight problems, but a powerful tool that can be very effective in helping you to manage your weight more effectively. But if you live on “junk” food and don’t bother being physically active, you can certainly put weight back following bypass surgery (following any weight loss procedure actually). So the message is “eternal vigilance”, there are no days off with weight management!
No. Every medical treatment has a failure rate and the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP) is no exception. A proportion of bypass patients will fail due to a variety of reasons, including an inability to comply with the nutritional requirements, physical inactivity or a failure to attend for follow-up. They can also run into trouble if they fail to take the prescribed vitamin and mineral supplements. However, if you are really determined to get a good outcome from your bypass, most of the reasons for failure can be overcome.
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