Gastric
Bypass Surgery
Also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, is a procedure
almost exclusively used in surgical weight-loss applications
to correct morbid obesity.
Indications
Gastric bypass surgery is recommended only for patients
who are morbidly obese, usually more than 100 pounds (45
kg) overweight. These individuals have major health problems
related to their weight. The Body Mass Index BMI is typically
used to identify surgery candidates with a cut-off of
40 being used by most surgeons. BMIs down to 35 are typically
permitted if the individual has other serious health issues.
Procedure
The procedure involves stomach stapling to reduce the
stomach to a "pouch" of 30–60 mL (1–2
fl oz) in capacity and connecting this pouch at a point
midway along the small intestine. The larger portion of
the stomach is left in the body and is connected to the
small intestine further down, in order to allow the introduction
of gastric juices that are essential for digestion. The
surgery varies in length and can be performed through
a 6–8 inch vertical incision in the abdomen or through
a number of small incisions (see laparoscopic surgery).
Gastric bypass surgery has two main results: the tiny
stomach pouch means that the patient is able to eat only
very small portions of food at a time, drastically reducing
intake of calories; and the shortened digestive tract
prevents those calories from being fully absorbed. This
is why gastric bypass surgery is classified as both a
restrictive (reducing intake) and malabsorptive (reducing
absorption) procedure.
Post-Surgery Expectations
The length of hospital stay after the surgery varies,
but usually lasts 2–7 nights. Gastric bypass is overwhelmingly
successful, with many patients losing over 100 pounds
within the first 18 months following surgery. Gastric
bypass surgery should always be accompanied by an exercise
regimen.
Undergoing a gastric bypass requires patients to commit
to a new lifestyle. They will no longer be able to eat
large portions of food at one sitting, nor will they be
able to eat foods high in sugar or fat, which often result
in gastric dumping syndrome, an unpleasant feeling of
faintness caused by the sudden absorption of these foods
in the shortened digestive tract. Due to the limited amount
patients can take in at any one time, they must constantly
drink small amounts of water or risk dehydration.
Risks
The operation has a mortality rate of approximately 2%
overall: 1% suffer immediate complications and death;
another 1% will commonly have post-operative complications
that lead to death within one month of surgery. This can
be mitigated by compliance with the surgeon's post-operative
plan and using a doctor who has performed more than 200
procedures.
A full 25% of people undergoing this operation will have
some form of post-operative complication (hernia, gall
stones) either requiring a further procedure or change
in habits. In some instances, the normal production of
intrinsic factor in the stomach wall to aid in vitamin
B12 absorption is decreased. This may call for either
B12 injections or sub-lingual tablets for life to aid
in the breakdown of food for energy.
Also:
American
Society for Bariatric Surgery.
Founded in 1983, foremost American surgeons have formed
the society's leadership and have established an excellent
organization with educational and support programs for
surgeons and allied health professionals. The purpose
of the society is to advance the art and science of bariatric
srgery.
Called:
gstric, gatric, gsatric, gastirc, gastrci, bipass, bypas,
srugery, srgery, surgry, surgrey
• Obesity
• Complications of Obesity
• BMI - Body Mass Index
• Plastic
Surgery
• Abdominoplasty
• Liposuction
• Mesotherapy
• For financing
of health procedures.
• For patient
loans.
• This article is licensed under the GNU
Free Documentation License. It uses material from
the Wikipedia
article "Gastric Bypass".
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