Plastic Surgery Articles

Gastric Bypass- Gastric bypass is a major medical procedure that makes permanent changes to a person's body and lifestyle in order to improve their health and/or reduce risk of future problems. This article provides an overview of gastric bypass.

Gastric Bypass Basics

A gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss surgery, also known as bariatric surgery. Gastric bypass procedures have become very popular over the last couple of years. Like other weight-loss surgeries, gastric bypass surgery changes your digestive system either to help you lose weight, reduce risk of medical problems or both.

Types of weight-loss surgery include Lap-Band adjustable gastric banding (LAGB) surgery, vertical banded gastroplasty, and gastric sleeve procedures (also called sleeve gastrectomy), as well as gastric bypass surgery. According to the Mayo Clinic, gastric bypass surgery is preferred by many surgeons because it results in fewer complications than other types of surgery for weight-loss.

There are several types of gastric bypass surgery. Two of them are Roux-en-Y, which is the most often performed type of gastric bypass. It uses stapling. Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch involves surgery that removes as much as 80 percent of the stomach. It is riskier than the first type.

There are limitations on candidates for gastric bypass surgery. A minimum body mass index (BMI) of 40 or a serious disabling or life-threatening condition that is weight-related may be required for the surgery to be considered. Other possible conditions include having been obese for 5 years or longer, being between the ages of 18 and 65, and not having a psychiatric disorder or a problem with alcohol.

Pros of Gastric Bypass Surgery

People who in consultation with a qualified health provider consider any kind of weight loss surgery usually have tried, sometimes for many years and with many methods, to lose weight. They are often people for whom diet and exercise has been unsuccessful, who are very overweight, and who are having health problems because of their excess weight.

The Roux-en-Y method leads to more weight loss occurring at a quicker rate than does LAGB surgery, for example. The Roux-en-Y method also has the benefit of being able to be performed laparoscopically, leaving only a very small surgical scar.

Cons of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery does not stop the problem. The person who has this surgery still needs to follow a healthy diet and get exercise after the procedure has been done. In other words, the surgery does not replace the need for lifestyle alterations. For example, food must be eaten in very small portions and chewed really well. Drink and food cannot fit in the stomach at the same time, and because absorption is reduced, vitamins and supplements are likely to be necessary. In addition, it may be necessary to avoid foods with simple sugars because they can pass through the system quickly and cause problematic symptoms.

Complications can be serious. For example, biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch can result in vitamin deficiencies or even malnutrition. It must be closely monitored. Other possible complications include those that are common to all surgical procedures, such as infection at the incision.