Learn The Facts About Gastric Bypass Surgery
Weight loss surgery can be a life-changing event for people who cannot lose the excess weight they need to through diet and exercise. Gastric bypass surgery is one such procedure that has proven to lower the mortality rate drastically for individuals who are morbidly obese or who have hypertension, type 2 diabetes or other related health problems. The results are typically dramatic with surgery patients losing up to 50 percent of the excess weight within only six months but as with any surgical procedure, patients must be aware of the risks.
Explaining the Procedure
In the simplest terms, the result of this type of surgery is a smaller stomach meaning the patient feels full after eating less food. The concept behind the procedure is actually more complex than that because it changes the way the small intestine and stomach process food.
The first step involves the surgeon stapling the stomach to produce a larger bottom section and a smaller upper section, called the pouch. The pouch is typically only big enough to accommodate one ounce of food.
The second step of the procedure involves disconnecting the pouch from the upper part of the small intestine, or the duodenum, and connecting it to the lower part of the small intestine (the duodenum).
Open surgery requires one long incision to open up the belly. The alternative is laparoscopy, which requires the surgeon to make up to a half dozen small incisions and insert a camera and thin surgical instruments while viewing the inside of the belly on a video monitor. The advantages of opting for laparoscopy include less pain, smaller scars, quicker recovery and a reduced risk of infection and hernia development.
What the Procedure Accomplishes
Because the active upper portion of the stomach is so small, the patient eats smaller amounts of food and still feels full. With the small portion of the stomach attached to the small intestine, the body absorbs fewer calories allowing the patient to lose weight.
Who is a Good Candidate for This Procedure?
Individuals should always try loosing excess weight by adopting a healthier lifestyle, eating a nutritious diet and increasing physical activity. Some physicians make recommendations for this procedure based on body mass index and the overall health of the patient.
The Risks Associated with Weight Loss Surgery
Following surgery, individuals will usually stay in the hospital up to three days and can return to their regular routine within three weeks. Minor complications associated with this procedure include bleeding, the development of ulcers, problems with digestion and infection at the incision site. Serious complications are rare but include heart attack, serious infection, blood clots, severe bleeding, and a leak at the site where the stomach is reattached to the intestines.
Making the decision to have this type of surgery is a big decision that individuals should not take lightly. Choosing to do so requires a life-long commitment. For patients who fail to reach their target weight with diet and exercise, gastric bypass surgery may provide the best option for a chance at a healthy life.
