I have a question...

Hi, my name is Jolie and I am looking into gastric bypass surgery. I heard a lot about leakage and was wondering what that was caused by? And another question for all the post-op do you find it hard to eat slow and drink slow? And stay away from the wrong foods? Ok well hope you all have a good day! Thanks. Jolie

Hi and Welcome I haven't had surgery yet but my sister in law has and as I understand it it is hard to stay away from the "bad" food. When you see the nutritionist they will tell you that starting to change your eating habits before the surgery will help you not want that stuff after the surgery it is important to start the change early so things will be easier after. Good Luck Candice Ylonen

Hi Jolie, I will be 1 year post-op on the 20th, hope this will help you. After surgery you drink a liquid and get "scanned" to check for leakage where the stitching and stapling is done on the stomach and intestine. This is caused by rutptured sutures, not tight enough sutures etc. It is something that is checked for with any type of surgery that is done on the stomach or gastrointestinal surgery not just WLS. As for eating slow, practice BEFORE surgery so that you get into the habit. It is not too difficult to eat slow & chew ALOT. Because in the back of your mind you know that your "stomach is the size of a lime" & the opening your food goes threw is "the size of a dime". With those dimensions, you chew chew chew, because if you don't you could wind up in the hospital for surgery to remove the blockage from not chewing enough. Life is wonderful! Cindy K.