Surgery creates malabsorbtion and gastric bypass nutrition is essential to maintain for successful recovery. Because of the bypass, the absorption of nutrients from food into the body is forever changed. Post-operatively it is important to work with a nutritionist to insure you are receiving the proper nutrients. After gastric bypass surgery, your food intake changes drastically. But high levels of protein are recommended to aid healing and provide adequate nutrition. Many patients are unable to tolerate common sources of protein such as red meat following surgery, so protein must be obtained from other sources, such as fish, eggs, soy products, legumes and protein-shakes. A few months after surgery, many people are able to add red meat and other protein foods back to their diet in moderation. Because of the change in the functionality of the stomach and intestines through gastric bypass surgery, iron, calcium and vitamin B are not as well absorbed from diet alone. Proper gastric bypass nutrition uses supplements to ward against vitamin deficiencies. It is recommended that patients take a multi-vitamin with iron, a B-complex supplement and additional calcium for the remainder of their life. Support groups and working with dietitians or nutritionists are important steps to a successful recovery and healthy life. Support groups can help patients understand and work out the practicalities of living with gastric bypass, to include proper eating and nutrition habits. Sometimes a vitamin deficiency can go unnoticed by the patient, but can be discovered through the follow-up care in a support group or with a dietitian. Because many gastric bypass patients formerly led unhealthy lives, with poor nutrition and eating habits, and little exercise, it is essential that old habits be replaced with new ways of living. Proper nutrition is a learned behavior that helps gastric bypass patients live healthy and productive lives.
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