Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery, also known as stomach stapling, is designed for weight loss. Its popularity can be estimated from the fact that just only in 2005, about 140,000 gastric bypass surgeries were carried out in America only. The famous view host Star Jones admitted about her undergoing Gastric bypass surgery to acquire her present slimmer figure.

Bariatric surgery is the term encompassing all the surgical treatments for morbid obesity. Gastric bypass surgery is one of the kinds of surgical treatments included in bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass surgery is performed to treat morbid obesity i.e. the severe accumulation of excess of weight as fatty tissue.

Obesity has many disadvantages. It not only affects the outward appearance of a person but also poses health hazards. Therefore, its treatment has a vital significance. Gastric bypass surgery helps a great deal in weight loss.

Gastric bypass surgery can be carried out by using traditional method of open surgery or by means of laparoscopic technique. In laparoscopic method, video camera and small surgical instruments are used. It has many advantages over traditional method such as less pain, fast recovery and small incisions. But, it requires more expertise and skill. Mini gastric bypass surgery is a short, simple and inexpensive laparoscopic weight loss surgery.



In order to perform Gastric bypass surgery, a patient is given general anesthesia. The procedure of Gastric bypass surgery takes about 4 hors in its completion.
Firstly, the stomach is cut. Then, it is stapled to form a small pouch. It is reduced to size of a small pouch that can hold about 1 to 2 ounces of food only. Secondly, the remaining stomach and first 1 to 2 feet of intestine are bypassed to facilitate mal absorption.

Therefore, a patient cannot eat more than 1 to 2 ounces of food and becomes unable to absorb proteins and other nutrients resulting in weight loss.

The cost of Gastric bypass surgery varies in range regionally as well as according to the kind of technique used. According to an estimate, the average cost of Gastric bypass surgery in America is about $17,000 to $25,000. As weight is linked with health issues, therefore, its cost can be covered by medical insurance.

After the Gastric bypass surgery, the patient has to remain hospitalized for about 3 to 5 days. In order to facilitate the healing of the stomach, the stomach is kept empty. For this purpose, a tube is inserted in stomach which is removed after about 2 days. The patient is not allowed to eat anything for about 3 to 4 days. For 12 weeks, patient is given liquid and restricted diet. He is gradually shifted from liquid to pureed, soft to regular diet.

For about 6 months, patient has to take small portions of diet. As the size of the stomach has reduced, therefore, restricted amount of food has to be entertained only. There can be severe side effects of overeating after gastric bypass surgery such as vomiting and intense pain in upper abdomen. After gastric surgery, diet reduces much in portions. For guidance, research gastric bypass surgery nutrition full text. Examine picture of gastric bypass surgery as well before building up your expectations. You would not be able to resume your old eating habits and portions after gastric bypass surgery. Some cases have been reported of gained weight after gastric bypass surgery especially after pregnancy. So, one has to be extremely careful in eating habits. Discuss gastric bypass surgery and alcoholism with your surgeon to avoid complications.

The %age of risks involved in gastric bypass surgery is greater than other surgeries. The long term complications of gastric bypass surgery have to be addressed with great care. The common risks involved include infection, bleeding and chances of undergoing second surgery. The long term complications include gall bladder complications and gall stones, inflammation of stomach lining called gastritis, dumping syndrome, anemia, osteoporosis or other bone problems.