Gastric Bypass Surgery: Get Rid of Those Extra Pounds
Gastric bypass surgery is a common term these days. A lot of people
opt for this really successful medical treatment to get their name
eliminated from the list of over-weight people. According to the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK),
gastric bypass surgery costs between $20,000 and $25,000 on
average. Moreover, it is interesting to notice that as per the
American Society for Bariatric Surgery and the National Institutes
of Health, in the United States, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the
most frequently conducted weight loss surgery.
Who needs Gastric bypass surgery?
There are few conditions that must be checked, in order to opt gastric bypass surgery. Let us take a look at these points.
- The patient should weigh twice more than his ideal body weight.
- If your BMI (Body mass index) is higher than 40
- Your body refuses to loose weight by other means like exercising and dieting, under strict supervision.
- You have been overweight for more than 5 years.
- If your BMI is above 35 and you suffer co-morbidities such as other health problems due to your overweight.
Gastric bypass surgery becomes an only available medical solution
for people who are heavily overweight. It is believed to be an apt
treatment for those patients who cannot loose weight by trying any
other trick, treatment or remedy, and suffer from a lot other physical
and health disorders and problems, due to this heavy weight.
How Gastric bypass surgery is performed?
In this surgery, an attempt to reduce the size of the stomach is made.
A small pouch is created, at the top of the stomach by making use of
surgical staples or a plastic band. Then, the smaller stomach is
directly attached to the middle portion of the small intestine,
leaving scope for bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper
portion of the small intestine.
The advantages and disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery
The biggest advantage coming to your way with this surgery is of
course, a good amount of weight loss. It lets your body get rid of
that stubborn fat that has been a reason of shame, low self-esteem
and various other health problems, since a very long time. You get to
regain your confidence and a good healthy and fit body. On the contrary,
disadvantages are of course, the long list of restrictions that you
need to follow while and post the surgery, through out your life.
Restricted food habits can be little annoying at times.
Secondly, the surgery brings along the heavy number of risks and complications.
Gastric bypass surgery complications
According to wikepedia, Gastric bypass surgery is a complicated
medical solution for getting rid of your extra pounds. If not performed
appropriately, the surgery may cause a number of complications such as
- Venous thromboembolism and many more.
Secondly, even after surgery, special , stomal stenosis, and leaks from staple breakdown, deep thrombo-phlebitis and ulcers.
- Say No to alcohol: Alcohol contains a high percentage of calories and thus, it is strictly advised not to take any sort of alcohols. However, to quench your thirst, you can try wine, which has only 30 percent of alcohol or else can go for cocktails.
- Diet: You are not allowed to eat sweets and other sugary food items along with flavored beverages between meals. Drink at least 2 litres of water a day and stop eating as soon as you feel filled. Make sure to eat protein rich food as it is important for healing the staple line of your pouch. Turkey, chicken and fish and other low fat items should be eaten first.
- Multivitamin: Your surgeon would recommend you to take a multivitamin tablet every day, for the rest of your life. In few cases, Vitamin B 12 injection is also recommended.
Summary
Post gastric bypass surgery, often patients complain of sagging and hanging skin, which actually depends on age, skin suppleness and total weigh loss. This is normally can be treated with plastic surgery; however, in cases with minor or small extensions, exercises may work, but heavy weigh lifting is not recommended.
Written by: healthplus24 team
Date last updated: April 04, 2012