Basics Relating To Gastric Bypass Surgery

By Brian Anderson


Bariatric surgeries are a group of surgical procedures whose objective is to assist in weight loss. This is achieved through a reduction of food consumed (reduced stomach volume), a reduction of nutrient absorption or both. Gastric bypass surgery is one of these operations. There are a number of things New York residents need to know if they are considering having this operation.

In general, weight-loss surgeries should be performed as a last resort for people who have tried all the non-surgical options of weight loss but have been unsuccessful. They are likely to be more beneficial in persons who are suffering from or are at risk of developing weight-related complications such as heart disease, hypertension, diabetes type 2, gastro-esophageal reflux disease and stroke among others. The general recommendation is that the candidate should have a BMI(body mass index) of not less than 40 (or 35 if they already have the complications).

As soon as you have been booked for the operation, you will be instructed on what you need to do as part of the preparation. You may be subjected to some tests to establish if you can withstand the operation. You may be asked to withhold on some drugs or foods to reduce the risk of complications. If you smoke, you should stop at least two weeks in advance.

There are several types of gastric bypass operations that exist. The most common is known as the Roux-en-Y. It can be performed through a small incision which helps to reduce the time needed for recovery. The first step in this operation is to staple the stomach together or to place a band in the vertical plane which converts the organ into a small pouch. This reduces the amount of food that can be held at any given point in time.

The next step is to attach a Y-shaped section created from the small intestine onto the pouch. This is what is referred to as the bypass (food skips part of the digestive tract). Subsequently, one can only absorb a limited amount of nutrients. There are very few calories that are left as excess to be converted into fat deposits. Over time, weight gain is tamed.

Another type of operation that may be done albeit rarely is extensive gastric bypass (also termed biliopancreatic diversion. It is an operation that is quite complicated than the conventional procedure. It entails the anastomosis (joining) of the first part of the stomach to the last intestinal section and getting rid of the lower stomach. The other two intestinal parts are bypassed.

You need to be aware of the attendant risks of these surgeries. A major risk is the fact that the pouch mat dilate over some months or years effectively increasing the stomach size. It is possible for it to even revert to its original size. The band and the staples may disintegrate and fall off which reverses the procedure. There are cases where stomach acids leak through the incisions and enter the abdominal cavity causing damage to internal organs.

Dumping syndrome is a collection of symptoms that may be experienced by persons that have undergone the bypass procedure. Within 10 to 30 minutes of eating, there is a sudden onset of nausea, weakness, abdominal discomfort and at times, fainting. This syndrome is likely to be encountered when one eats sugary foods or sweets and is caused by the rapid movement of eaten foods through the stomach into the small intestines.




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