Dr. Lester Cooperstone, MD, FACS

North Shore University Hospital at Syosset

221 Jericho Turnpike

Syosset, New York 11791

516-496-6548       FAX 516-496-2771

87,652 Pounds Lost Here (as of 3/27/08)!

Instructions after Gastric Bypass Surgery

A tool can be mastered and allow its user to do a great job or it can be used improperly and may result in a poor outcome. Gastric bypass surgery is really a tool that must be learned and used in order to give the best possible long term weight loss. It is not a magic tool that will be a cure for morbid obesity but it is very effective if used properly. The changes that must be made to have a life-long effect must last a life-time and not just for a year or two. It is easy to gain weight back after a massive amount is lost if the tool is not used. Remember if you regain even 5-10 pounds a year, after 10 years you will be very disappointed with your results. Your results are definitely affected greatly by what you do and great long term results are what the surgery is all about.

A loophole food is something that the surgery just doesn’t work well with

A loophole food does not make you feel full, usually goes down very easily, has a high calorie count, and you will get hungry soon after you eat.

A desirable food will make you feel full and keep you full for a longer time resulting in less eating. When your stomach pouch is filled you will not be hungry. When it is empty because the food goes down easily you may be hungry.

Pretzels, any type of chips, crackers, cheese doodles,popcorn or something similar

Nuts and seeds (even though they are high in protein)

Peanut butter

Cookies (also avoid low calorie or low sugar cookies)

Cakes

Candy

Ice cream and low calorie ice cream

Cheese and low fat or low calorie cheese (even though it has protein)

· Cottage cheese is a very good snack and the exception

Liquids that have calories

Do not drink while you eat or for an hour afterwards.

Again you will stay full as long as food stays in your stomach. Drinking while you eat or shortly afterwards will wash the food out of the stomach and you will get hungry sooner.

Chew your food well and eat slowly-The signal of fullness that your stomach sends to your brain travels by a slow pathway, so if you eat too fast you will not realize you are full until your pouch is overfilled.

High protein foods will make you more satisfied, and full longer.

Eat the protein component first

Not all high protein foods are equally effective. (Cheese and Nuts are just too easy to eat , are loaded with calories and fat, and tend to go down very easily)

Beans, Tofu, Soy products but not chips

Cottage cheese , Yogurt (low fat)-mixed with fresh or frozen fruit,

adding fruit will make you more full especially with yogurt

Eggs or better Egg Beaters (no cholesterol) can add vegetables

Meats- Turkey, Chicken, Beef, Chopped Meat, Fish, Tuna, Sushi

Eat Fruits and Vegetables-That’s what healthy people eat. They make you full and are low in calories

Drink Liquids that have ZERO calories- Water, Crystal Light, diet drinks, Look on the bottle and see what it has

Do not drink liquids that have calories (another loop-hole) Avoid -Juice, Regular soda, Alcoholic drinks

Do Not Graze or eat small amounts of food through-out the day

If you snack be sure to snack on healthy foods that will make you full (not a loophole food)-Fruits, vegetables, beef jerky, healthy foods are good choices and will fill you up.

If you eat 100 extra calories (= 1 slice of cheese or a few pretzels) daily after 1 Year you will gain 10 pounds. 200 calories daily = 20 pounds, etc.

Do not eat or drink sugary liquids-This may cause "dumping" which is due to a rapid change in the blood sugar level. You may notice your heart racing, feel dizzy, become sweaty, and finally pass out after eating ice cream or other sugary liquids

Ask us for a pamphlet that explains food labels

High calorie foods will make you gain weight

Exercise- That’s what healthy people do (Walking is an easy exercise)

Check out the Keys for success

What to bring into hospital and what to have at home

Calculating results of weight loss surgery

Read about High Protein Foods

Go to the Center for Weight Management

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Disclaimer-This website is not meant to deliver medical advice specific to any one person, but is supplied for general information only. Only your own physician can provide you with specific medical advise.
Copyright © 2008 Lester Cooperstone, MD