Sunday, May 22, 2016

What You Should Know About Gastric Bypass Surgery

By Lisa Green


Bariatric surgery is any surgical operation that is conducted with the aim of reducing body weight. The main types that are performed commonly in New York include gastric bypass surgery, gastric banding and sleeve gastrectomy. Although a few differences exist among these surgeries, they are fundamentally the same in the manner in which they achieve their desired effect. In this article we explore the procedure involved in the bypass operation as well as the associated risks and benefits.

As is the case with many other surgeries, the decision to undergo the procedure is made collectively by the surgeon and the client. The advice of experts is that bariatric surgeries should be considered only after all the conservative options have been tried out. Such may include, for example, making dietary changes and engaging in physical exercise regularly for at least six months. The only exception is when a lot of fat has to be lost in a short span of time.

The candidate who wishes to have this operation should ideally have a body mass index of at least 40 which puts them in the category of morbid obesity. In the event that they also have a weight related medical condition such as diabetes, hypertension or sleep apnea, they will be considered for the operation even with a lower index. Surgery helps slow down the severity of symptoms associated with these conditions.

The steps that are involved in preparing for this operation are more or less the same as those involved in other surgeries. One needs to be subjected to a number of tests to determine whether they are fit enough to have the surgery. Some of the important tests conducted routinely include renal function tests and a full blood count. Some drugs such as aspirin and anticoagulants increase the risk of bleeding and should be stopped before the operation.

The surgeon can choose one of two techniques to do this operation. The first type is known as Roux-en-Y. In the technique, a small incision is first made on the abdominal wall so as to access the stomach. A portion of the stomach is stapled or compressed with a band to reduce its size. A Y-shaped intestinal section is then attached onto the stomach so that a part of the original route is bypassed (hence the name).

One of the reasons as to why weight loss occurs following the Roux-en-Y procedure is the small stomach size. Faster filling means that you will eat less than before. Consequently less food is available for conversion to fat for storage as most of it is used for the provision of energy. The other major contributor to weight loss is the reduced surface area that is necessary for absorption of nutrients.

The second technique that is employed is known as extensive gastric bypass. It is a more radical procedure that is mainly considered in case of biliary obstruction caused by liver disease. This is why it is alternatively known as biliopancreatic diversion. To perform the operation, the lower stomach portion is removed and the upper portion is then stitched to the last section of the intestines skipping the first and the second in the process.

Even as you plan to have the bypass, there are a number of potential risks that you should be aware of. Reduced absorption of useful nutrients is the most commonly encountered. It is especially severe in the case of extensive gastric bypass. Dumping syndrome is a collection of symptoms associated with rapid movement of food through the gut once the procedure has been performed. They include diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, sweating and weakness among others.




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