Gastric Bypass Surgery is a medical procedure to help obese patients lose weight. Gastric bypass is the most common weight loss surgery performed in the United States. A typical candidate for gastric bypass surgery will be morbidly obese, unable to lose weight thru diet and exercise and at risk of health problems due to being overweight. Candidates for this surgery generally have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. However, gastric bypass surgery may be recommended to individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher who also have serious weight-related medical problems.
During gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon will make the patient’s stomach smaller by separating the top and bottom portions of the stomach using staples. The smaller, upper portion of the stomach (often called the “pouch”) will be where eaten food will go. The pouch is very small in size – comparable to the size of a thumb. Shrinking the stomach will greatly reduce the amount of food that can be consumed by the patient. Once the stomach has been stapled, the second step of the procedure is performed: bypass. During the bypass, the doctor will re-construct the gastrointestinal tract to allow drainage from both portions of the stomach. The connection to the stomach is made lower down the gastrointestinal tract which will reduce the amount of calories absorbed from eaten food, ultimately resulting in weight loss. Generally, patients can expect to lose sixty-five to eighty percent of body weight following the months and years after surgery. Significant reductions in weight-related medical problems are also typical results of gastric bypass surgery.
A change in the patient’s lifestyle is imperative to the success of the gastric bypass surgery. Regular exercise and healthy eating habits will significantly improve the outcome of the surgery. It is suggested that gastric bypass surgery patients eat two to three small meals a day. Grazing on snacks between meals is discouraged. Although, patients will feel full after eating a small amount, it is possible for patients to stretch the newly constructed “pouch” stomach if they eat too much or too often.
There are serious risks which must be considered with any weight loss surgery. Risks and complications associated with gastric bypass surgery include: infection, hernia, bowel obstruction, anastomotic leakage, anastomotic stricture, ulcers and nutritional deficiencies.
Cited references:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/gastric-bypass/MY00825
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gastric_bypass_surgery
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007199.htm