14. Is the
recovery time shorter if the RY gastric bypass is done by laparoscopy? |
| 15. Will
you remove the gallbladder? The gall bladder is removed routinely with open RY gastric bypass. The gall bladder is not removed routinely with lap gastric bypass. |
| 16.Now that I'm going home, what can
I eat? Take liquids until your first office visit. After your first post-operative visit (one week after surgery), you will be advanced to pureed foods for one week. Once you have progressed through pureed foods, we have a three phase diet advance, that gradually adds specific, textured foods. |
| 17. When will
I see my surgeon again? One and four weeks post-op, and then monthly for the first year. |
| 18. Should
I take a vitamin-mineral Supplement? Yes, you will be on Flintsones chewable vitamins for at least one month. You will then be advanced to a regular, adult multivitamin. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU TAKE VITAMIN SUPPLEMENTS EVERY DAY FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE TO PREVENT VITAMIN DEFFICIENCY. |
| 19. What
about protein supplements? Gastric bypass patients are permanently malabsorptive and MUST drink protein shakes FOR THE REST OF THEIR LIVES. Failure to do so may result in hair loss, malnutrition and weight gain. You must have an adequate amount of protein available to build muscle, otherwise you will build fat, lower your metabolism and gain weight. |
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| 20. What about
calcium supplements? Our patients must have 1200 mg of calcium per day in the form of supplements. For the first month, this is taken in the form of TUMS. |
| 21.
When are blood tests done in the post-operative
period? Usualy, the first blood tests are done every three months in the first year after the gastric bypass. They are then performed yearly thereafter. |
| 22.Can I drive
my car? After seeing the doctor on your first post-op visit, he may clear you to drive. |
| 23. Can I wear
my seat belt? Yes, you can. |
| 24. When
can I have intercourse? As soon as you feel like it and there is no pain. Women must take precautions not to become pregnant for the first year after surgery. |
| 25. Can I go
swimming? As soon as your wounds have completely healed. The doctor must approve this request. |
| 26. How can I
get my insurance forms filled out? Bring them to the Surgeon's office. |
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