Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a type of surgery that helps you lose weight by by changing the way your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat.

Some facts about Gastric Bypass Surgery:

• A small pouch from the stomach will be created and the the newly created pouch will be connected directly to the small intestine.
• You will feel full with less food after the surgery as the size of your stomach will shrinks.
• You will not be able to absorb as much food since part of your digestive system will be bypassed or re-route.
• Swallowed food will go into the small pouch of stomach and then directly into the small intestine, thereby bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine.
• Gastric bypass is recommended when diet and exercise haven't worked or when you have serious health problems because of your weight.
• Your risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Heart disease, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Obstructive sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, Stroke, Cancer and Infertility can be reduced by Gastric Bypass Surgery as it help you lose excess weight.
• Excessive bleeding, Infection, Adverse reactions to anesthesia, Blood clots, Lung or breathing problems and Leaks in your gastrointestinal system are some of the potential health risks associated with Gastric Bypass Surgery.
• Bowel obstruction, Dumping syndrome, causing diarrhea, nausea or vomiting, Gallstones, Hernias, Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), Malnutrition, Stomach perforation, Ulcers and Vomiting are some of the longer term risks and complications of gastric bypass surgery.

Preparation for Gastric Bypass Surgery:

• You may be required to start a physical activity program and to stop any tobacco use in the weeks leading up to your surgery.
• You may have restrictions on eating and drinking and which medications you can take before your procedure.
• Your hospital stay depend on your recovery. But,is typically one to two days or may last longer.

Procedure for Gastric Bypass Surgery:

• You will be given general anesthesia before your surgery to keeps you asleep and comfortable during surgery.
• In most of the cases, the surgery is performed laparoscopically, which involves inserting instruments through multiple small incisions in the abdomen.
• However, some surgeries are done with traditional large incisions in your abdomen.
• A small stomach pouch will be created by stapling part of the stomach together or by vertical banding which limits how much food you can eat.
• A Y-shaped section of the small intestine to the pouch will be attached by the surgeon which create a bypass for food to skip part of your digestive system.
• The lower part of the stomach will be removed in extensive gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion. Then the small pouch will be connected directly to the last part of the small intestine, which completely bypass the first two parts
• Shorter hospital stay, quicker recovery, less pain, smaller scars and a lower risk of getting a hernia or infection are some of the advantages of laparoscopy over open surgery.

Recovery for Gastric Bypass Surgery:

• You may have liquids but no solid food immediately after gastric bypass surgery, as your stomach and intestines begin to heal.
• A special diet plan will be followed that changes slowly from liquids to pureed foods. Then, you are allowed to eat soft foods, and move on to firmer foods as your body is able to tolerate them.
• You may have many restrictions or limits on the amount and what you can eat and drink.
• Vitamin and mineral supplements including a multivitamin with iron, calcium and vitamin B-12 may be recommended after surgery.
• Your health should be monitored in the first several months after weight loss surgery.
• Body aches, Feeling tired, as if you have the flu, Feeling cold, Dry skin, Hair thinning and hair loss, Mood changes are some changes that you may experience as your body reacts to the rapid weight loss in the first three to six months after gastric bypass.
• It depends on your type of surgery and your change in lifestyle habits or the amount of weight you lose.
• Conditions often related to being overweight, including Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Heart disease, High blood pressure, High cholesterol, Obstructive sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, Stroke and Infertility can be improved or resolved in addition to weight loss by Gastric Bypass Surgery.

Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery:

• Pouch stretching, Breakdown of staple lines, Nutritional, vitamin, and mineral deficiencies and Stomal stenosis are some of the risk associated with Gastric Bypass Surgery.
• The stomach get stretched back to its original size and becomes bigger over time in Pouch stretching.
• The staples may fall apart or Your body will get nutrients from food as it no longer can absorb it properly.
• Nausea, vomiting, reflux, and then an inability to eat can be a cause due to the formation of a narrowing at the connection of the stomach and small intestine.
• Dumping syndrome can also be a cause of Gastric Bypass Surgery. Food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine in dumping syndrome. Nausea, weakness, sweating, fainting, and, occasionally, diarrhea after eating, as well as becoming extremely weak after eating sweets are the symptoms of dumping syndrome.
• You may also get gallstones when you lose weight quickly after the surgery.
• It is possible to not lose enough weight or to regain weight after Gastric Bypass Surgery if you don't follow the recommended lifestyle changes.
• You must make healthy changes in your diet and get regular physical activity and exercise to help avoid regaining weight.