Your greatest weight loss will occur in the first 6 to 8 months after the gastric bypass procedure. Most patients will plateau after 12-18 months, and after this, additional weight loss will be difficult. Here again are the "10 Golden Rules" that you must follow in order to attain a weight that is close to your ideal body weight:

1. Eat only three small meals a day: Weight loss surgery creates a small stomach pouch that can hold only half a cup of food. If you try to eat more than this at one time you may become nauseous and/or vomit. If you routinely eat too much, the small pouch that has been created by your weight loss surgery procedure may stretch and cancel the beneficial effects of the operation. Frequent vomiting can also cause complications such as stomach slippage (band cases) or burst stomach (bypass cases). You need to learn how much your stomach pouch can hold and not exceed this amount.
2. Eat slowly and chew food thoroughly: Once you are beyond the initial four weeks and started on some solid food, be certain to CHEW YOUR FOOD until it reaches a mushy consistency (AT LEAST 40 CHEWS PER MOUTHFUL). Take your time eating each meal (30-45 minutes) and swallow small bites of food. Swallowing chunks of food may block the opening of your pouch and prevent the passage of food.
3. Stop eating as soon as you feel full: Sometimes it takes time for you to become aware of the signal that your stomach is full. If you hurry your meal, you may eat more than you need. Try to recognize the feeling of fullness and stop eating as soon as you feel full.
4. Do not drink while you are eating: After 2-3 months and for the rest of your life, your operation can work only if you eat solid food. If you drink at mealtimes, what you have eaten becomes liquid. This would defeat the purpose of the weight loss surgery. You should not drink anything one hour before and one hour after your meal.
5. Drink a lot during the day: You need to drink large amounts of liquids every day (at least 6 big cups of liquid) in order prevent dehydration, provide fluid for urination, and in order to excrete the waste fat that you are loosing. Remember to drink only water, tea or coffee (without cream) and keep your food and drinks completely separate.
6. Drink only low-calorie liquids: Drinks, including those containing calories, simply run through the narrow outlet, called the stoma, created by the weight loss surgery. Drinking high calorie liquids will decrease your ability to lose weight, even if you follow the solid food diet.
7. Six months after your surgery DO NOT EAT BETWEEN MEALS:After each meal, do not eat anything else until the next meal. Eating snacks between meals is one of the major reasons for failure to lose weight.
8. Eat a balanced diet consisting of fresh food: With your weight loss surgery you can eat only small amount of food. Consequently, your diet needs to be as healthy and as balanced as possible. Eating food from each of the four food groups will provide adequate amounts of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Each meal should be high in protein and vitamins and include fresh vegetables, fruit, meat, and cereals. Foods high in fat and sugar are not acceptable. You may eat apples and oranges but try to avoid orange juice and apple juice. Avoid foods that are high in fiber, such as asparagus. High fiber foods can block the stomach. Make sure to consult with your doctor and nutritionist in order to establish a well balanced diet.
9. Exercise at least 30 minutes a day: Physical exercise is critical to the success of your weight loss goals. Exercise consumes energy and burns calories. That is the key to losing weight. Moreover, exercise can help improve your general health. You can start with simple exercises such as walking or swimming. With weight loss, it will become easier to exercise. Consult your physician to confirm the right specific experience plan for you.
10. Self-control and high motivation: You have taken a major step toward reaching you weight loss goal by choosing to have weight loss surgery. You should feel confident in continuing your weight loss journey by exercising self-control and following these basic guidelines to success.

All successful patients who have had the gastric bypass have 2 things in common: They follow their dietary recommendations closely, and they initiate rapidly a regular exercise program. Initially this may simply be walking around the neighborhood four times per week for 40-60 minutes. Get a podometer to assess your progress (see orange card included in this package). It is essential that, 4 weeks after your surgery, you begin a regular exercise program. Then, you can start swimming, weight-lifting, rowing, etc. This will guarantee not only a good weight loss, but will also improve your stamina, energy level, and overall health.