Gastric bypass surgery is a surgery for weight loss. In this process, the size of your stomach is decreased to reduce the amount of food you regularly use to eat.
In this surgery, your surgeon makes your stomach smaller, and you feel full with less food. It is a weight loss and metabolic procedure. What gastric bypass surgery does is it modifies your digestive system in such a way that you eat up and absorb fewer calories.
If you’re someone with clinically severe obesity, gastric bypass surgery is the way to go, as it helps in relieving many other obesity-related health conditions. These conditions include hypertension, type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, and chronic acid reflux, also known as GERD. You must understand that gastric bypass surgery is not just for weight loss but for other underlying medical conditions with obesity.
This article will talk about the reasons why Gastric Bypass Surgeon suggest surgery.
Gastric Bypass Surgery-The procedure
The procedure involves reducing the functional area of your stomach into a small pouch by separating this part from the rest of the stomach with surgical staples. This helps restrict the amount of food going into your stomach and the amount it can hold.
Further, it connects the new stomach pouch to the lower segment of the intestine.
This procedure ensures that when the consumed food goes through the digestive system, it bypasses major parts of your stomach and the initial area of the small intestine. Consequently, your digestive system doesn’t absorb all calories in the food.
Reasons why Doctors Suggest Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric surgery is done to help you lose severely extra weight and reduce the risk of life-threatening obesity-related health issues. Gastric Bypass Surgeons recommend this surgery when you are suffering from any of the below-mentioned health problems, such as
● High blood pressure
With this surgery, high BP and cholesterol levels can return to normal, improving overall well-being.
● Heart disease, including heart stroke
Gastric bypass helps increase cardiovascular health, and weight loss achieved from it can help prevent the risk of death.
● NAFLD, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease or NASH, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis
● Type 2 diabetes
This surgery helps in causing long-term remission of type 2 diabetes. Gastric bypass surgery is highly effective for people with type 2 diabetes and obesity and allows them to remain insulin-free for a minimum of 3 years.
● Sleep apnea
Helps eliminate sleep apnea in 80-to85% of patients.
● Joint pain relief
The significant weight loss after gastric bypass surgery helps relieve joint stress and lets people enjoy more mobility.
Doctors suggest it to people who have
- A body mass index of 40 and higher is called extreme obesity.
- A BMI and body mass index of 35 to 39.9 is called obesity. These people have serious weight and health problems like severe sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, or high blood pressure.
Note: In a few cases, a doctor might suggest a particular type of weight loss surgery if your BMI is between 30-34 and there are weight-related severe medical issues that you’re facing.
Gastric bypass surgery isn’t for everyone and anyone who is overweight. You must meet a few medical guidelines to qualify or certify for a gastric bypass or weight loss surgery. The screening process for this surgery is extensive, and you should be willing to make irreversible changes to lead a fit and healthy lifestyle.
Your doctor might ask you for multiple follow-ups, which you can’t miss. This plan would include checking your nutrition, lifestyle, behaviour, and medical conditions.
Also, as seen above, this surgery is not just for people who are obese but others who suffer from other medical-related issues.
Conclusion
Gastric bypass surgery usually takes between two to four hours; post that, you must stay in the hospital for at least two days. Be wary that you won’t be able to eat solid foods right after the surgery. Also, the pain is moderate in the initial few days. Your doctor will provide painkillers.
This surgery has one of the best success rates compared to other weight loss procedures over the long term.
You must remember the various risks involved, like other surgeries, such as excessive bleeding, infection, or anaesthesia reactions. There are even a few complications that might occur, such as Hernias, Anastomotic leaks, and small bowel obstruction. It is vital for gastric bypass surgery only when your doctor suggests it.
The doctor’s suggestion is crucial, as there can be various long-term side effects like ulcers, gallstones, bile reflux, malnutrition, and even weight regain. Following your doctor’s instructions and guidelines is crucial to getting a gastric bypass surgery done.
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