Understanding Gastric Bypass Surgery (Gastric Bypass Surgery)

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery is growing in popularity. It is important that anyone who is considering this type of surgery to insure that they are ready for both the physical stresses of it as well as the mental challenge it presents. Gastric bypass surgery is a way for doctors to help treat morbid obesity. For those individuals who have serious health problems that are brought on or made worse by their weight, this surgery can be the difference in life and death. Here are some details and things to keep in mind when considering gastric bypass surgery.
First of all, it isn’t for everyone. In fact, you must be above 40 BMI in order to qualify. Some doctors will go as low as 35, though. BMI stands for Body Mass Index. This is a system that is used to compare and understand the effects of weight on human bodies as compared to their height. We know that a person with a BMI between 35 and 40 is considered morbidly obese, but that doesn’t mean someone should be very low either. There is a balance in which the body simply needs to have a certain level of fat. This is a controversial understanding in most cases. Nevertheless, this is an indicator that a person is a candidate for gastric bypass surgery.
In most cases, individuals who are candidates for gastric bypass are 100 pounds or more overweight. But, just being overweight by a certain amount is not the only thing that is considered. Individuals who would like to be considered for this weight loss will in fact need to go through a battery of mental testing. For those who eat because of emotions, gastric bypass is likely to fail. The first steps for these individuals is dealing with their specific eating disorder first. When they are successfully through them, they may then be considered a candidate. It is important to understand that once the surgery is complete, if a person can not commit to specific changes, they will not succeed at losing weight and can complicate the surgery’s outcome. Many times patients will be required to diet and exercise during a period of time prior to becoming a candidate. So, what does happen during this surgery?
During the procedure, the doctor will create a pouch out of the stomach. They will take the stomachs normal size and reduce it to mere 1-2 fluid ounces or between 30-60 mL. This is a drastically smaller size. They will lower the stomachs capacity by connecting the pouch to a point midway to the small intestine. The larger remaining pouch will be kept within the body and will be connected farther down the small intestine so that it can remain a producer of gastric juices that aid in digestion. Gastric bypass surgery does require an incision of six to eight inches. In some cases, several smaller incisions will be used instead.
What is the goal of gastric bypass surgery?
The whole point of this surgery is to limit the amount of food that a person can take in and to shorten the digestive track to allow for fewer calories to be absorbed within a person’s body. By limiting the amount of food a person can consume, they greatly reduce the amount of calories being consumed and therefore force the body to use stored fat instead. This surgery is called restrictive because it reduces your intake of foods and malabsorptive because it reduces the amount of food that can be absorbed into the body.
Most of the time, gastric bypass surgery is successful. In 2% of patients, though, it is fatal. One percent is due to complications during surgery. In many cases, the heart is already weakened from having to pump so vigorously to handle the extra weight or complications from other diseases may cause death as well during surgery. The other one percent will come within one month or so after the surgery is done. In these cases, it is often due to patients not restricting themselves properly. Patients who have this surgery will no longer be able to eat foods that are high in sugar or fat. The body can likely not handle these fast absorbing foods within their bodies.
If you would like to be considered for gastric bypass surgery, you will need to see your doctor and tell him about your situation. Not all insurance companies within the United States will actually cover this surgery unless there is medical evidence that your weight is attributing to your health. You will go through a battery of tests to determine your circumstances and to find out if you do indeed qualify. It is a life changing experience, but it is one that needs to be thoroughly thought out.
By:Travis Lawrence

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery - Knowing the Risks (Gastric Bypass Surgery)

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Like any other type of elective surgery, gastric bypass surgery comes complete with its own set of risks. In fact, 10 to 20 percent of gastric bypass patients require follow-up surgery to correct a complication of the original weight loss surgery, according to the National Institutes of Health. The following list covers the most serious risks, and necessary treatments.

Pulmonary Embolism – Patients face a one percent chance of blood clots developing in the legs after surgery. Several techniques can prevent the formation of clots, such as using surgical compression stockings that put pressure on the legs and maintain blood flow in the days following surgery. If clots do form, they may break off and be carried into the lungs, where they can get caught. Emergency surgery is required.

Peritonitis – If a staple or suture used during surgery ruptures and allows stomach fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, it can cause a serious infection, called peritonitis. Emergency surgery is required to seal the leak, followed by treatment with antibiotics to kill the infection.

Gallstones – More than one-third of gastric bypass surgery patients develop gallstones, which seem to be caused by rapid weight loss. If a patient has gallstones before the operation, the surgeon will remove the gall bladder during the gastric bypass operation to prevent further difficulties. If there are no signs of gall bladder problems, the doctor may prescribe medication to minimize the risk after surgery.

Chronic Vomiting – The connection between the stomach and the intestines can narrow as a result of scar tissue forming. When this occurs, food cannot pass easily through the channel, which may cause nausea and vomiting after eating. To correct the problem during follow-up surgery, the doctor will insert a balloon into the opening and stretch it. This outpatient procedure has a 90 percent success rate.

Dumping Syndrome – This problem occurs when food moves too quickly through the small intestine and causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. Normally, it is caused eating highly refined foods, like sugars. Proper dietary precautions can prevent or control this problem.

Nutritional Deficiencies – Approximately 30 percent of gastric bypass patients develop severe nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disorders. Taking the correct combination of dietary supplements can prevent these problems.

Stomach Ulcers – Ulcers can develop at the top part of the intestine when it is connected to the new stomach pouch. Traditional ulcer treatments are used.

Hernia – Hernias can develop in any part of the abdominal muscles where there is a weak point that allows a part of the stomach or intestines to push through. Surgery can correct this problem.

Pregnancy – Women should not get pregnant for at least two years after surgery to prevent serious post-surgical complications. Women who later become pregnant must also be careful to take the correct nutritional supplements to protect both her and the baby from developing nutritional deficiencies.

Bowel Obstruction – This problem can result when scar tissue develops where the stomach was sewn or stapled to create a smaller pouch. This requires immediate emergency medical treatment that may include surgery.

With all of the hazards involved, you need to carefully weigh the risks against the benefits of gastric bypass surgery. On the positive side, in addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery can dramatically reduce the chance of obesity-related heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, as well as improve lower back and knee problems. Before arranging gastric bypass surgery, discuss all treatment options with your doctor to determine the course of action that is right for you.

This article provides an overview of health issues related to gastric bypass surgery and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner. Please consult your doctor prior to making any major medical decisions.
By: Craig Thompson

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery - Preparation for the Big Event (Gastric Bypass Surgery)

Gastric Bypass Surgery

As with any surgical procedure, proper preparation before gastric bypass surgery is extremely important to ensure the experience is not overly stressful. Assuming your doctor confirms that you are a valid candidate for a gastric bypass, the first thing you should do to prepare is to contact your insurance company to see if they cover weight loss surgery.

If the surgery qualifies for coverage, your insurance carrier may require both physical and psychological clearances as part of the gastric bypass preparation. They may accept information sent by your doctors or require you to see doctors of their choosing before they will approve the gastric bypass surgery. You also need to see what your financial responsibility will be, so you can make whatever preparations are necessary to pay for it.

Next, you will need to find a qualified hospital or surgical center and pre-register to undergo weight loss surgery. Pre-screening tests will need to be performed about a week prior to surgery.

The Day of the Procedure

Since your stomach must be completely empty to reduce the changes of vomiting during surgery, no food or drink is allowed after midnight the day before your surgery.

Usually, you check into the hospital or surgical center early the morning of your surgery to complete final paperwork and last minute tests. Then, you will be taken to a room where you will change into a surgical gown. Next, you will be taken to a pre-operating holding area where the anesthesiologist will discuss your medical history with you and answer any questions that you may have.

In the operating room, any other necessary preparations will be completed, and then the anesthesiology will start an IV for you. Now it's time for the surgeons to work their magic.

What Happens During Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the surgery. If you are having a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon will make three to four small incisions in the outer abdomen wall and insert a micro-sized camera and different surgical instruments into your body. Your abdominal cavity will be filled with gas to inflate the space and make it easier for the surgeon to see what he or she is doing. If you are having the Roux-en-Y procedure performed, the surgeon will make a much larger incision, from your bellybutton to breastbone, through which to enter the abdominal cavity and perform the gastric bypass.

In both cases, the surgeon will create a small upper pouch in your stomach using a surgical stapler and reinforcing the staples with stitches. Then the surgeon will divide the small intestine and attach one end to the new stomach pouch, bypassing part of the digestive track so that food will pass directly from the new stomach pouch to the mid-point of the small intestine. The new, smaller stomach pouch prevents the patient from eating large amounts of food, and the bypass prevents the patient's body from absorbing some of the calories in the food that is eaten.

After the surgery is finished, you will be taken to the recovery room where nurses will monitor your condition. As soon as you are ready, you will be sent home and scheduled for a follow-up with your surgeon two weeks later.


This article provides an overview of health issues related to gastric bypass surgery and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner. Please consult your doctor prior to making any major medical decisions.
By:Craig Thompson

Gastric Bypass Surgery