Gastric bypass is a kind of surgical interference that is mostly used for significant weight loss if you are over weight. This surgical interference reduces your calorie intake. After the surgery, stomach will be small and you feel full faster to reduce amount of food. Part of stomach with small intestine will be literally skipped over so less amount of calories. Gastric bypass is also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, Bariatric surgery - gastric bypass.
In Gastric by pass stomach is made small by creating a new small pouch at the top of abdomen by using plastic bands or surgical staples. The smaller stomach connected directly with the middle portion of small intestine called as jejunum, bypassing the remaining part of stomach and upper potion of small intestine called as duodenum. After performing Gastric bypass the patient is recommended to reduce the quantity of his intake food as small intestine absorbs less calories at this stage. This leads to weight reduction.
Doctors will only recommend for bypass surgery if you have no other way to lose weight and it is only considered if your body mass index 40+. Bypass surgery usually needs 4 to 6 day hospital stay. Most people return to normal activities within 20 to 30 days. Gastric bypass may sometime cause dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves very quickly through stomach and intestines, which causes sweating, weakness, faintness, nausea and sometimes diarrhea just after eating. These symptoms may go worse by taking high calorie foods.
As other surgeries, gastric bypass surgery also includes risks. Risks include:
1. Leak from stomach into abdominal cavity that can cause peritonitis.
2. Blood clot in lung.
3. Vitamin B12 deficiency- this occurs in near about 30% cases.
4. An iron deficiency anemia- this occurs in 50 cases.
5. Possibility of ulcers in 10% to 20% cases.
The weight reduction results after gastric bypass surgery are normally steady. Most patients reduce an average of 8 pounds every month and can reach towards stable weight between 20 and 25 months. Usually, greatest rate of weight loss take place in very beginning i.e. just after the surgery when you are just on liquid diet.
You will need a regular check up with doctor usually during first year. Your physician will evaluate your mental and physical health status, including weight change and your nutritional requirements. With help of a physician, dietitian and nutritionist, you can reduce your weight effectively through gastric bypass.