Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are people who can eat lots of everything and still manage to maintain their ideal weights. Unfortunately, not everyone is as lucky as these people are. Most have to keep a close watch on what and how much they’re eating. Otherwise, they most likely have to deal with excess pounds that are very hard to get rid of.

Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical procedure that works to alter the anatomy of a patient’s digestive system in order to limit his food intake. Among all types of weight loss surgeries available, this is the most preferred by surgeons, due to the fact that it is safer and entails fewer complications. Further, it has been proven to provide lasting and consistent loss of weight, as long as it is complemented by a continuous lifestyle modification.

Although gastric bypass surgery is highly effective, it is recommended only for people who have failed to attain healthy weights despite proper diet and exercise, are severely obese, and who are suffering from certain health conditions as a result of their being overweight.

Gastric bypass surgery may also be recommended on patients with: body mass index or BMI equal to 40 or above; body mass index or BMI between 35 and 39.9, but possess serious health conditions like high blood pressure or diabetes. Gastric bypass surgery is not done so as to take the place of the proper diet and regular exercise. As matter of fact, optimum results are achieved from the surgery if the patient has a strong commitment to follow the recommended diet and exercise.

Candidates of gastric bypass surgery are thoroughly screened. Some people may have met the criteria but may not be medically or psychologically ready for the procedure. A team of medical experts which includes a surgeon, physician, psychologist, and dietitian will assess whether the procedure is appropriate for the patient.

Gastric bypass surgery is performed by making a tiny pouch above the patient’s stomach, and adding a bypass around a certain section of the small intestine. The stomach is sealed off from the pouch above it by stapling it across its top. The pouch is walnut-sized and can accommodate food of about one ounce. The small intestine is also cut, where part of it is sewn onto the pouch. This process makes it possible to redirect food, and limits the ability of the stomach to absorb calories.

The procedure is generally performed under general anesthesia which means that the patient is asleep while the surgery is being carried out. The entire procedure requires around four hours, and patients typically wake up to find themselves in the recovery room. Hospital stay usually lasts between 3 and 5 days, as medical staff needs to monitor the possible occurrence of complications.

After gastric bypass surgery, eating is not allowed for a day or two to allow the stomach to heal. A dietary progression is recommended for 3 months. Since the size of the stomach is reduced, patients should eat small meals. Eating more than what’s appropriate can induce vomiting and cause intense pain. Although the amount of food intake can increase gradually, patients will never be able to bring back their previous eating habits.

Although most complications are found to be short-lived, recent studies found that there are actually long term complications of gastric bypass surgery, such as night blindness and poor eyesight, both of which are caused by Vitamin A deficiency.

Food is not the only thing that is bypassed, but essential vitamins and minerals as well. Therefore, people should try harder to make the “safer” weight loss techniques work for them.