Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that permanently alters a person's digestive system. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, 106,242 gastric bypass procedures were performed from 2002 to 2004, more than triple the number of surgeries performed from 1999 to 2001. During the procedure, a surgeon creates a small stomach pouch and connects it directly to the intestines. Due to the smaller stomach size, a person is forced to eat smaller meals and fills up quickly. Typically, gastric bypass is performed on morbidly obese patients, individuals who are 100 lbs. or more above their ideal body weight. Alternatives to gastric bypass are safer, but offer a much slower path to weight loss.
Diet and Exercise
Gastric bypass surgery has the potential for numerous side effects, including blood clots, dumping syndrome, gastric leaking and even death. Dumping syndrome causes food to move too quickly through the digestive track. Gastric leaking is the leaking of gastric fluid at the incision site. For these reasons, some patients may choose diet and exercise as a viable alternative. The process of losing 100 or more pounds through diet and exercise should be supervised by a physician. A patient may also need to address her reasons for overeating with a therapist. A registered dietitian should also be employed to help offer healthy food alternatives and meal planning.
Prescription Medication
Prescription weight loss medications should be utilized only by patients who are at risk of developing serious medical conditions, such as diabetes, due to their weight. In the United States, medication is approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Nearly all prescription weight loss medication is approved by the FDA for short-term use only. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the only two FDA-approved drugs for long-term use are orlistat and sibutramine hydrochloride monohydrate.
Gastric Banding
Adjustable gastric banding is a viable option to gastric bypass. Unlike gastric bypass, adjustable gastric banding is reversible. Band surgery is also a shorter surgical procedure. During a gastric banding procedure, a surgeon places a band around the upper stomach, creating a smaller stomach. Food first enters the smaller stomach, prior to entering the larger, lower stomach. As with gastric bypass, gastric banding leads to portion control and weight loss. But in an article published in the August 2008 issue of the "Annals of Surgery," Dr. Nancy Puzziferri writes that gastric bypass produced greater weight loss at a more rapid and consistent rate than gastric banding.
References
- CDC: Data
- NIDDK: Prescription Medications for Obesity
- "Annals of Surgery"; Variations of Weight Loss Following Gastric Bypass and Gastric Band; Nancy Puzziferri, M.D.; August 2008
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