Gastric bypass surgery has become an increasingly popular option for weight loss when traditional methods of diet and exercise don't work. However, not everyone qualifies for Gastric bypass surgery, and there is a specific list of criteria that a patient must meet before this type of surgery is an option for them. It's important to understand these criteria as you decide if this type of surgery is for you.
Function
Gastric bypass is a surgery that makes the stomach smaller. During surgery, the doctor creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach using a surgical band or staples. This small pouch is then connected to the intestines, bypassing the rest of the stomach. Because the stomach is smaller, the patient feels full more quickly and with less food. The result is that they consume less calories and begin to lose weight. Many patients lose a significant amount of weight very quickly.
Features
The potential benefit of gastric bypass surgery is significant, but only for certain people. You must meet certain qualifications in order to be considered for this procedure. There is some variation among surgeons but generally you must meet the following guidelines: be between the ages of 18 and 65, have a BMI of 40 or above or a BMI of 35 or above with additional health problems, show documented failed attempts to by other methods, and be mentally competent in order to understand the surgery and the lifestyle changes required after surgery.
Considerations
The additional health problems that contribute to a doctor's recommendation that a patient have gastric bypass surgery include: sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, heart disease, degenerative joint diseases or gallbladder disease. If you have one or more of these conditions then your doctor may be more likely to suggest gastric bypass surgery, even if you have a BMI that is under 40.
Effects
Most patients who have bypass surgery begin to lose weight almost immediately. Their weight loss usually continues for up to 12 months. Some studies have shown continued weight loss for up to four years. About 75 percent of patients will lose 75 to 78 percent of their extra body weight. Often this lost weight reduces or even eliminates other health problems that the patient may have. Conditions that usually see improvement include diabetes, sleep apnea, asthma, hypertension, reflux and arthritis. Patients also often report an increased sense of well-being as a result of losing their excess body weight.
Warning
The most significant side effect of gastric bypass surgery comes from the reduced number of calories and nutrients that are being absorbed. Patients may need to take nutritional supplements to combat this problem. It is also possible to have complications at the surgery site such as staples pulling away from the stomach or enlargement of the bypassed part of the stomach. Some individuals develop ulcers and some experience nausea and vomiting after eating. Not everyone will experience every side effect, but since these effects can occur it is important to be aware of them. Additionally, it's important to understand that it's possible to regain the weight even after bypass surgery. If patients don't continue to follow the dietary guidelines they've been given, they may begin to gain the weight back. Gastric bypass requires a lifetime commitment to health and wellness and does not eliminate the need to follow a healthy diet and get appropriate exercise.
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