How Gastric Bypass Surgery Helps In Weight Loss

By Lisa Green


Bariatric surgeries are a group of operations that are performed with the sole aim of achieving weight loss. Those that are commonly performed in New York include banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. Weight loss is achieved through reduced food intake (as a result of early satiety), reduced absorption of nutrients or both. We will look briefly at what is involved in the bypass procedure.

Once you have made the decision to have the operation, you need to visit a general surgeon. Ensure that you have a discussion on the pros and cons of having such an operation and determine whether any other options exist. Most doctors hold the view that surgery should be done as a last resort. One needs to first attempt losing their unwanted weight by instituting lifestyle changes.

The candidate who wishes to have this operation should ideally have a body mass index of at least 40 which puts them in the category of morbid obesity. In the event that they also have a weight related medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea, they will be considered for the operation even with a lower index. Surgery helps slow down the severity of symptoms associated with these conditions.

The steps that are involved in preparing for this operation are more or less the same as those involved in other surgeries. One needs to be subjected to a number of tests to determine whether they are fit enough to have the surgery. Some of the important tests conducted routinely include renal function tests and a full blood count. Some drugs such as aspirin and anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding and should be stopped before the operation.

One of two techniques can be used in this surgery. The Roux-en-Y is the commonest. The stomach is first reduced into a small pouch through banding or stapling before joined to the last segment of the small intestines. The first two parts are skipped (bypassed). All this is done through small incisions created in the anterior abdominal wall. One of the reasons as to why the technique us popular is because of the low rate of complications.

In the case of Roux-en-Y, weight loss will be achieved due to a number of reasons. The small size of the stomach can only allow one to eat a limited amount of food most of which is used in the provision of energy. The other effect of this operation is that the surface area available for absorption of nutrients is markedly reduced due to the bypass of a large section.

The second type is called extensive gastric bypass. As the name suggest, this technique is quite radical. In this technique, the lower part of the stomach is cut and discarded and the remaining upper part joined to the last segment of intestines which means that a large segment is bypassed. Since it is mostly considered when there is biliary obstruction, it is also known as biliopancreatic diversion surgery.

Even as you plan to have the bypass, there are a number of potential risks that you should be aware of. Reduced absorption of useful nutrients is the most commonly encountered. It is especially severe in the case of extensive gastric bypass. Dumping syndrome is a collection of symptoms associated with rapid movement of food through the gut once the procedure has been performed. They include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sweating and weakness among others.




About the Author:



 

Abdulrahman Jmail © 2012 | Designed by Cheap Hair Accessories

Thanks to: Sovast Extensions Wholesale, Sovast Accessories Wholesale and Sovast Hair