I'm having a gastric bypass when I weigh 9 stone

Do you have any support for yourself and little girl?

I’m sorry you’re going through this.

It sounds as though this is the best thing for your health.

Your stomach isn’t working properly and so you’ll be no worse off.

My grandma drank high calorie shakes and had things like cream in her coffee and high calorie foods like avacado as well as multivitamins.

Once your surgery has healed then it’s possible for your stomach to stretch if you do it sensibly (for most of us this is a bad thing but for you over time it will probably be a good thing).

I am sure this has been carefully considered and is the best option given your complex history. But if you have doubts you can ask to get a second opinion from a different consultant.

Also you can (and should) ask your consultant what other options have been considered and why they won’t work or have greater risks. Ask all the questions you can.

If it’s medically advised then I would do it. You are only eating to 40% capacity now anyway. I dm sure they will then advise if z correct diet to ensure you get everything you need and not lose weight

What I read about surgical treatment for gastric volvulus doesn't sound like gastric bypass. It sounds quite different.

For instance, stomach capacity reduction for GV gets the stomach capacity back to 'normal'; not reduces the capacity by 80% from a 'normal' start place which happens in GB.

I hope your surgery is a big success. x

I would call that a partial gastrectomy rather than a bypass. But anyway it's big surgery obviously, I hope it all goes smoothly and solves your problem.

I had a bypass (for weightloss reasons) and what I'd say is, after the initial phase of losing weight (about 4 months) I had to actively diet, hard, to continue to lose. So if in your post op phase, you drink high cal meal replacements and avoid as much loss as possible, after a while the effects will wear off.

@HenleyHenleyHenley I had about 25%of my stomach removed ( and nearly all of my oesphageous )because of cancer at the junction of stomach and esophagus .
I've no idea how similar or not this will be to your operation .But ..

Before the op I had fortified drinks ( even more forified than the normal ones ) and after the op I was fed via a jejunostomy tube that bypasses the stomach and goes straight into the small intestine.The tube was put in place during the op and can be attached to another tube with a bag of liquid feed that has a small pump to deliver it to the stomach .

I came home with the j tube and pump and used it overnight .You can use it during the day as well if preferred or necessary .
I used it a night because you can run it at v slow speed over a longer period .

I saw a dietician throughout .

Different parts of your stomach digest different minerals and vitamins (or are involved in absorbing them ,I'm a bit hazy on all that now ) so you may need to be monitored for deficiencies (eg B12 ) thereafter and take supplements .

There are a number of different feeds according to your needs ,some with more fibre for example .

Many of us with partial stomachs suffer from early and or late dumping .
https://gutscharity.org.uk/advice-and-information/conditions/dumping-syndrome/

I also have false hypoglycemia .

This sounds awful ,but it isn't and I live a normal life .It did take a few years to get used to my new digestive system and to recognise the onset of above side effects .

It's all very well known ,researched and documented .Your surgeon and other health professionals involved in your care should be well aware .

No, OP will be having a gastrojujenostomy. This treatment has been around for far longer than using bypass surgery for weight loss. It’s a common procedure in cancer treatments. She will be getting support from dieticians as well as her medical team.

This is a regular pressure for people in your situation and has been performed for decades before bypassing surgery was used as a weight loss option! Unfortunately it’s now associated with weight loss surgery. If your team are suggesting it, there’s no need to worry.

It sounds like you're having a rough time so my sympathies. I'd say go with your medical team's advice. They seem to have good reasons for what they're suggesting.

What you’re having sounds more like a sleeve than a bypass.

for what it’s worth, I had a sleeve and they cut away 85% of my stomach. For weightloss purposes.

i imagine like anyone having this kind of surgery, when you start eating solids again, you’ll need to prioritise eating high protein foods above carbs and empty calories to make sure you’re getting all the nutrients your body needs. Also take vitamins and have bloods taken every 3 months to check your levels.

wishing you all the very best of luck with your surgery and long term health x

I know someone not much bigger than you who had one because she binge ate. I don’t know how a doctor agreed to it and she’s a tiny size 4-6 now. So I suspect you’ll have to work hard to keep your calorie intake up.

My husband had stomach surgery about 2 months ago to remove a tumor on the outside wall of his stomach which involved removing some of the stomach wall.at the same time. He was in a liquid diet for about 2 days post surgery and then a restricted diet for about another 5. The doctor advised he eat food that could be mashed with a fork for about 10 days total post surgery just to give his stomach a chance to recover. At this point, he's back to about 2/3rds of his normal food intake in terms of portion size. He's eating everything but just in smaller amounts! We did get him some high protein drinks to get through the liquid diet piece and then focused on high protein food during the "fork mashed" stage to ensure he was getting what he needed. One thing his surgeon did mention was that the stomach eventually stretches back to a normal size, so ultimately he's expecting it to be as it was before.

OP, get yourself to a private nutritionist. The NHS will not help at all

Edit: shoulda read OP’s posts before posting!

I had a bypass almost 2 years ago. I’ve halved my body weight, almost 24st to 12 ish. You need to talk to your surgeon re how to not lose too much weight.
You may lose your hair, a known side effect although this hasn’t affected me. You can eat protein filled foods, I suggest you speak to your cancer team/surgeon re the protein drinks. Aldi/Lidl etc are great for protein products in liquid/semi liquid form (drinks/yoghurts/pudding consistency desserts) plus pancakes/special meals. Trouble is, you’re very unlikely to be able to eat much for the first 6 months as the pouch remaining is small and you physically can’t eat lots. I was advised to aim for 6x 250ml ramekins per day which was impossible. The ultimate focus is protein, 60-80g a day, plus 2 litres of fluid-no sugar or no added sugar squash is my go to.

You may be told to consume only liquids for the first fortnight to allow the new pouch to settle, or purée only, depends on your surgeon. Fortunately, it isn’t a stay in bed surgery (don’t think any are these days) and you should be given blood thinning injections to self administer for the first fortnight (if not, demand them if you don’t have clotting disorders). You will probably be asked to take vitamins/calcium/iron, which is normally a double dose. As it’s abdominal surgery, you shouldn’t drive until you can do an emergency stop and you ought not to lift anything heavier than a kettle for about 4 weeks.

Most patients only stay one night in the UK (different abroad) as long as they’re feeling ok and can get to the bathroom etc.

I think with a sleeve, it’s easier (from everyone I’ve spoken to who’s had one) to eat more and in fact, some have had a revision to bypass because it’s harder to overeat) so with luck, you won’t ultimately lose too much, although everyone does at the start. You’re going to need to choose very high protein/calorie/nutritionally sound stuff. Good luck!

Your stomach will be smaller so you would need to adjust how you eat to ensure you get enough calories and nutrients- ask for a dietician who can talk you through what a day's eating would look like to maintain your weight and health with the smaller capacity imo

I know someone who had exactly the same thing. Post op she was on a liquid diet for a while, then a soft food diet before transitioning back to a normal diet. I think she had about the same amount removed. Once she recovered she was like a different person - actually gained a bit of weight, was able to exercise for the first time in years, her skin was glowing and her hair grew a mile a minute because she was finally able to absorb nutrients properly. She ate little and often (I think she eats 5 small meals a day) and it’s been so positively transformational for her quality of life.

Best of luck - you sound like you’ve been through a lot so must be mentally really strong. You’ve got this :)

I’ve had a gastric bypass. I think like everyone says the surgery sounds more like a sleeve but in terms of the recovery, as a fellow single parent I can tell you it’s nowhere near as bad as I was worried about. I had 2 days in hospital post op, I was vomity for those days, then it settled. Apart from the anchor stitch which pulled and was like a sharp stitch pain for about a week, there wasn’t too much pain. By 2 weeks later I was back to normal, no painkillers needed after about 4 days. I was fully able to look after kids, drive, everything after 2 weeks, needed help with carrying heavy stuff and was very tired from anaesthetic first few weeks. I had no appetite at all for first 6 weeks so wasn’t bothered by the liquid diet, and I found some nice coffee flavoured protein shakes and tomato soup got me through. I can now eat anything, just not in large quantities, and nothing too sugary as it has made me feel sick. Not tried alcohol yet. I’m doing it for weight loss so still watching calories but it’d be easy to get in 2000 a day even now 4 months post op, by just eating 6 smaller meals a day. High cal stuff goes down fine (too fine) I can eat crisps and chocolate and cake still, just small amounts. I’ve lost a stone a month but I needed to! I could easily double my calorie intake per day and lose nothing. Good luck, it will be easier than you expect.

A bypass doesn’t remove your stomach. The larger stomach part is left inside and your intestines are rerouted. What you’re having sounds more like a gastric sleeve.

You will probably need to eat little and often to keep your calories up and yes during the liquid phase rely on nourishing drinks.

Have they got a dietician you can see?

Obviously talk to your consultant but a fully functional smaller stomach sounds a better option than being sick every time you eat.
Good luck whatever you decide

A relative of mine had this done and she was just 7.5 stone.

She had very very bad reflux so they needed to bypass the stomach and basically did a roux en y.

Is that what you're having? She was part of a cohort of very early surgery involving nissenfundoplications.

Anyway, she was much thinner than you and 5ft 9.

Life wasn't always easy after but if she hadn't had it, she would have died from aspiration into the lungs and malnutrition. She could hardly eat towards the end.

So it was life-saving. She did put on weight but things were a struggle.

Long-term the side effects were post bariatic hypoglaecemia. Rare, but not that rare it seems. Dumping is also a possibility.

Some slight issues with the pancreas, she took Creon with some success.

The thing to mention is that your ability to absorb vitamins may well be compromised.

I'm sure this will be covered but get tested regularly, it could literally save your life. I do feel she went downhill due to lack of nutrients being absorbed over a decade or two. So I hope you'll stay ontop of your vitamins if you can. I know it's very hard but you've got this. Good luck.

From the NHS:
Vitamin and Mineral Supplements after Gastric Bypass or Sleeve Gastrectomy
After your surgery
Multivitamin and Mineral supplements are mandatory for life after you have had a gastric bypass or sleeve gastrectomy.
Some multivitamins and minerals can be prescribed by your GP. Alternatively you can purchase some over the counter from pharmacies and supermarkets.
After surgery the quantity that you will be able to eat reduces and this combined with changes to your stomach and small intestine (that result in some mild malabsorption), will mean that you may not absorb sufficient vitamins and minerals. Daily vitamin and mineral supplements are essential to reduce the risk of any deficiencies and keep you well.
You will need the following:
A complete A-Z multivitamin and mineral formula – daily
Begin to take your multivitamin and mineral as soon as possible after surgery. You will be given a soluble formula (for 1 month) when you are discharged from hospital. After this your GP can prescribe you with tablets. Take your supplement with or after food to reduce the risk of side effects such as nausea.
Calcium and Vitamin D (combined) formula – 1200-1500mg/daily from food and supplements
Calcium is an essential mineral for your bone health, cell and muscle function, and is better absorbed with the presence of vitamin D.
Taking calcium and iron together can interfere with the others absorption, so take these supplements at separate times across the day, leaving at least a 2 hour gap between them.
An iron supplement – daily for women of menstrual age (or if you have anaemia)
Iron is essential for the formation of red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body. Iron deficiency can cause anaemia and symptoms include; fatigue, palpitations, pale skin, hair loss and a sore mouth.
Taking iron and calcium together can interfere with the others absorption, so take these supplements at separate times across the day, leaving at least a 2 hour gap between them.
A separate Vitamin D3 (in addition to calcium/Vitamin D combined supplement) – 20,000IU once each week (or 2,000-4,000IU daily)
Vitamin D helps regulate the amount of calcium and phosphate in the body. It helps to keep bones, teeth and muscles healthy. In adults Vitamin D deficiency can lead to bone pain caused by a condition called Osteomalacia in adults.
B12 (Hydroxycobalamin) 1mg intramuscular injection - every 3 months
Vitamin B12 is involved in helping the body make red blood cells and keeps the nervous system healthy. The changes to your stomach and small intestine after bariatric surgery can affect your absorption of B12.
Deficiency may result in fatigue, weakness, a sore, red tongue or mouth ulcers. More serious consequences of deficiency include; pins and needles, disturbed vision, depression, confusion, and problems with memory.
Take all of your vitamins and mineral every day but do not take them all together. Spread them evenly across the day to help your body absorb them.
Here is an example:

Hopefully if you stop being sick your nutrition will improve and you will be able to enjoy small calorific meals. I hope it goes well

I'm an oncology dietitian and see this quiet often, I'll be back to post in more detail later, currently juggling MN and DDs dinner

I know nothing about the surgery you need but just wanted to say, my son is tube fed and has 630ml liquid feed a day. That’s all his body needs to maintain his 70kg weight. He eats nothing orally.

So don’t worry too much about losing weight, the dietitian should be able to advise and prescribe a high calorie milkshake if needed.

Good luck with everything, you’re clearly a fighter and your daughter is lucky to have you.