Gastric bypass surgery is designed to help obese people lose weight through a reduction in the size of the stomach and a bypassing of the upper portion of the small intestine. Gastric bypass is a major surgery that has a lot of risks involved and it also requires a change in lifestyle to ensure success.
The Surgery
The surgeon creates a small, walnut-sized pouch when the upper part of the stomach is stapled and sealed from the rest of the stomach. A small part of the small intestine is then connected to the pouch.
Variations
There are two ways to perform this surgery. The traditional method calls for the surgeon to cut a large incision in the abdominal area, allowing for a more hands-on approach to handling the organs.
The alternative method, known as laparoscopy, is when the surgeon makes four to six small incisions in the abdominal area and sticks a tiny camera and surgical tools through the incisions to perform the surgery.
Risks
In addition to the normal surgery risks of blood loss, infections, allergic reactions and breathing difficulties, gastric bypass runs the risk of causing damage to the stomach or intestines. There are also concerns with the stomach leaking through the staples.
Post Surgery
After the surgery, patients can stay in the hospital for up to three weeks, depending on how well the surgery went and how the body responds to the surgery. For the first one to three days, patients are not allowed to eat. When food is allowed, the patients start on a liquid diet before gradually working to solid foods.
Side Effects
Common side effects after the surgery are body aches, fatigue, feeling cold, hair loss, mood changes and depression. Less common side effects are intolerance to different foods, low blood sugar, kidney stones and dehydration.
Benefits
Since the stomach is smaller, the person will eat less and fill satiated faster. With the bypassing of the upper portion of the small intestine, the body won't absorb as many calories. Eating and absorbing less food results in weight loss. In addition to weight loss, a person can also improve such medical conditions as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and sleep apnea.
Lifestyle Change
The patient must develop proper eating habits and participate in physical activities to maintain the weight loss resulting from gastric bypass surgery. Stress management is also necessary to avoid any undue physical trauma to the healing areas.
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