Gastric bypass surgery is a treatment that aims to shorten the pathway that the food takes in the body. It reduces the stomach volume and shortens the absorption path of the food.
How is gastric bypass surgery done?
In this laparoscopic surgery small incisions are made in the abdomen to allow surgical instruments to be inserted. The stomach volume is reduced to approximately 20-40 cc. The small intestine is attached to the reduced stomach pouch. Thus, the amount of food that the patient can eat decreases and the absorption path is shortened.
Since most of the stomach, duodenum (first part of the small intestine) and the middle part of the small intestine (jejunum) are bypassed, the absorption of digestive foods (especially high-calorie sugary foods) is prevented.
Formerly called roux-en-Y, gastric bypass bariatric surgery is the most commonly performed bariatric procedure. The most important benefit of gastric bypass surgery, besides successful weight loss, is its ability to improve and often eliminate the medical diseases associated with obesity in more than 90%.
Diabetes, hypertension, as well as other medical problems are cured in a large majority of patients. Gastric bypass is both a restrictive and a malabsorptive procedure. The restrictive part of the procedure is the creation of the small stomach pouch with a small outlet. The malabsorptive part of the procedure involves cutting and then re-arranging the proximal small intestine.
Who can have gastric bypass surgery?
- People with a BMI of 40 and higher.
- People with a BMI of 35 and higher with specific health problems, like type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea or other diseases.
- Patients aged 18 – 65 years.
How long does the procedure take? How many days will patients stay in the hospital?
One day before surgery our specialist physicians do pre-surgery tests. After receiving the approval of all our specialists, gastric bypass surgery is performed on the day of the planned operation. After the operation, our patients stay in the hospital for 4 days for the postoperative care.
How should you eat after gastric bypass surgery?
Our bariatric dietitian is an expert in the post-operative field. She will advise and explain the nutrition after gastric bypass surgery to our patients in detail and will also focus on what needs to be considered. In addition, special supportive foods wich are suitable after surgery will be given to our patients.
Advantages of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is suggested to people who come under the category of obese people. The advantages of gastric bypass surgery include
Weight Loss: After the surgery, the patients can lose up to 70 percent of their excess weight. As the surgery suppresses the urge to eat more, the body consumes less food leading to weight loss.
Better Health : Excess weight causes a lot of ailment and health issues. However, as gastric bypass surgery helps to reduce weight, it also reduces the risk of many ailments. Hence, one of the major advantages of gastric bypass surgery also includes better health.
Better Eating Habits : Obese people tend to eat in excess that leads to their weight gain. After the surgery, the eating habits of the patient are altered to smaller portions and more frequent meals. Making up for the lost nutrients and following changed dietary patterns also instills better eating habits.
More Energy : After the surgery, the patient feels more energetic and active as all the extra weight has been shed. Thus, an essential advantage of gastric bypass surgery is that it makes people feel more energetic.
Better Appearance : After losing weight, the body size reduces to a noticeable amount giving a better appearance to the person. Improved looks is one of the appreciable advantages of gastric bypass surgery.
Disadvantages of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Like any medical procedure, there are some potential disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery. The main disadvantage of gastric bypass surgery is saggy skin after the surgery and a few scars due to the cut and stitches. This may be corrected with cosmetic surgery.
Infections in the Wound : As the procedure involves cutting and stitching of the belly, the after care of the wound is necessary. If not taken care of, the wound may catch infections leading to bleeding or pus formation.
Indigestion : As the body will take time to adapt to the new eating habits, indigestion may occur in the beginning.
Bleeding or Blood Clot : There may be bleeding or clots around the wound for initial few days.
Disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery and the complications can be kept minimal by following proper medical advice and following up regularly. Post-surgery diet and exercises must be followed as advised to avoid the disadvantages as much as possible.