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Everything you want to know about a Gastric Bypass

What is a Gastric Bypass and why do you need extra vitamins afterwards? Here you can read all about it.

Everything you want to know about a Gastric Bypass

What is a Gastric Bypass and why do you need extra vitamins afterwards? Here you can read all about it.

What is a Gastric Bypass?

With Gastric Bypass surgery, the stomach is structurally reduced. Most of the stomach is no longer in use, only a stomach reservoir (pouch) remains. The pouch is connected directly to the small intestine. Thus, a detour (bypass) is made in your intestines. Because of this bypass and reduced stomach, you can eat much less. You are satisfied faster and lose weight. Therefore, a gastric bypass is an effective treatment against obesity.

What changes in your body after a Gastric Bypass?

After Gastric Bypass surgery, your stomach is a lot smaller. About the size of a kiwi fruit. As a result, you can only eat smaller portions and therefore you lose weight. Because of a Gastric Bypass, your stomach no longer makes stomach acid. Stomach acid plays an essential role in releasing nutrients from food. After surgery, the availability of intrinsic factor changes. This is an important protein in the stomach lining. Because intrinsic factor is now no longer in contact with food, it is not released from the “residual stomach. As a result, it cannot bind with vitamin B12.

In addition, after a Gastric Bypass, you produce less of the hormone ghrelin. This hormone sends a signal to your brain when you are hungry. Because you produce less ghrelin after the weight loss surgery, you are less hungry so you eat less. Food intolerance is also common after gastric bypass surgery. Often it involves red meat, dairy products, rice, pasta, and bread. Usually, these intolerances are temporary and you can eventually tolerate them again.


What is the recovery from surgery like?

A Gastric Bypass is a surgery performed under general anesthesia. Therefore, your body does need time to recover. How long you need, is different for each person. On average, it takes 3 to 6 weeks. Make sure you are extra careful during your recovery, being sure to avoid heavy lifting or sports. Wait for the first few days after your operation to pass before driving and cycling. Swallowing often hurts in the beginning. Therefore, eat only liquid food for the first 2 weeks. Your Health Care Professional will tell you more about recovery after your surgery.

What are the pros and cons of a Gastric Bypass?

  • You lose weight and your health improves
  • Symptoms caused by excess weight decrease or disappear altogether
  • Losing weight becomes easier because you eat less and absorb fewer nutrients such as fats and carbohydrates due to the detour in your intestines
  • The risk of dying prematurely is 30 to 40% lower after surgery
  • Your health and quality of life improves: 95% of people with a weight loss surgery report this.
  • Because you eat considerably less after a gastric bypass, it may be difficult to achieve a healthy and balanced diet. This may increase your risk of vitamin and mineral deficiency.
  • No operation is without risk. This also applies to weight loss surgery. After surgery, complications can occur such as vomiting, bleeding, heartburn problems, leaky gut, gallstones and dumping syndrome
  • You may experience excess skin due to the rapid weight loss
  • About a year after treatment, the production of the hunger hormone increases again. It’s really important to adopt healthy habits early on and to stick to them
  • Obesity is not a problem that can be solved by surgery alone. A healthy lifestyle, mindset and the right diet are just as important to staying fit and balanced.

Why do you need extra nutritional support after surgery?

As a result of eating less food following Gastric Bypass surgery, it may be difficult to achieve a healthy and balanced diet. The absorption of certain vitamins and minerals is impacted because the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum) and a piece of the second part of the small intestine (fasting colon) is closed off from food. Because no food passes through this part of the small intestine, no vitamins and minerals are absorbed there either. It is typically in the small intestine where nutrient absorption happens most efficiently. In addition, food intolerance can occur after weight loss surgery. Especially for meat, dairy products, bread and pasta. Red meat is an important source of protein, vitamin B12 and iron. And milk and yogurt are a great source of calcium. However, food intolerance is common after a gastric bypass, which may make it difficult to digest these foods and absorb the nutrients from them. While we aspire to consistently eat a healthy and balanced diet, post-gastric bypass surgery evidence suggests this may be difficult to achieve. Vitamin and mineral supplements can bridge dietary gaps, ensuring nutritional deficiency is prevented.

 

Multivitamins tailored to support your nutritional needs

We are being honest: a multivitamin is not a magic pill. It doesn’t provide superpowers and it’s not a quick fix that will turn you into a healthy person in no time. A multivitamin is your daily extra support to precent dietary nutrient deficiencies.

Thanks to our research FitForMe understands how to support your nutritional needs. We have tailored our products and combined vitamins and minerals based on research, into one multivitamin

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It is the start of a fit life

Surgery changes your life in many ways. It can be a big challenge physically and mentally, which FitForMe understands well. We’ve developed nutritional supplements that contain a range of active ingredients to help you stay in balance. We deliver the multivitamins to your home and give you personal advice. We support you every day on your journey towards better health.

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