Gastric bypass surgery is a surgery used to reduce the volume of your stomach. It is one of two different surgeries that can accomplish a reduction in stomach volume; the other is known as gastric banding. A gastric bypass is the most common form of this type of surgery, as it has the proven ability to reduce weight faster. However, it should be noted that banding can be more easily reversed. After having this type of bypass surgery, the maximum capacity of your stomach is about 30 ml. It is imperative that after this surgery is performed that you reduce your food intake and begin to chew your food more thoroughly on each bite.

Some of the known benefits to this type of surgery are significant weight loss and the drastic reversal of sleep apnea and Type II diabetes. Unfortunately, each participant for a gastric bypass should be aware that there are some risks. A few of these risks, which are very uncommon, are failure of the respiratory system, bleeding, and staple leaking.

During all gastric surgeries, what occurs is that a new stomach is created, as a smaller size, from a series of staples in line with each other. They are then connected through a looping method to the small bowel. The typical amount of time that passes during this surgery is only about two hours. Most forms of this procedure are performed through what is known as laparoscopy. This is where instead of a large incision through the abdomen, there are several small cuts made, and a video camera is used to see inside. This creates less post-operation stress, pain, and leads to a faster recovery.

With all gastric bypass surgery procedures, you should plan on a brief hospital stay of two to three days. It is also possible that your absence from work range from three to six weeks in some cases. It will take a few days after you leave the hospital for your body to adjust itself properly to the operation, a time during which you will feel a bit discomforted, and will probably not wish to eat solid foods.

Not everyone is a candidate for this surgery. In order to fit the mold to have this surgery, you will need to have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40, which is well into the obese range. This number can be lowered to 35 if you have other contributing health risks such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. A gastric procedure such as this should only be used as a last resort when dieting and exercising have not given you results. The cost of this surgery can be in the range of $25,000-$50,000.

Benefits and Cost of Gastric Bypass Surgery

More and more importance is placed on gastric bypass surgery as one of the best methods of eliminating excessive fat However, the risks involved and the cost of gastric bypass surgery are often some issues patients need to consider. Bariatric surgery (another name used for gastric bypass) is a solution to eliminating fat – here are some more facts about it.

Getting ready for Bar iatric surgery

Before the surgical procedure is performed, you will undergo some laboratory tests with your surgeon’s supervision. Different pre-operative gastric bypass surgery analysis have to be performed so as to ensure maximum chances of success for the procedure. Some other special measures might have to be taken prior to gastric bypass surgery, such as stopping to smoke and consume alcohol, sometimes even a few weeks before the surgical procedure. As with any surgery, blood clotting medication is to be avoided. You might also be asked to donate your own blood, weeks before the gastric bypass surgery, as it might be needed after the surgery for blood transfusion. You also have to get ready for it from a financial point of view: determine the cost of gastric bypass surgery with your surgeon and make sure to set your finances in order before the surgery takes place.

No more fat!

Although results vary, most patients loose about 50% to 90% of the excess weight in a year, a year and a half after surgery. These amazing figures are even more impressive when we consider the fact that most of these patients were morbidly obese and life was a series of constant obstacles related to their excessive weight. However, results do not come on their own. A life style change is required after gastric bypass surgery and a strict diet will also become essential. Co-morbid problems are usually diminished or even gone forever and many patients didn’t have to take sleep apnea or hypertension medication after the surgery. Even though many patients do not reach an ideal weight after gastric bypass surgery, they will tell you that this procedure did change their lives 180 degrees, as they are now free to enjoy most of the things their excessive weight made them skip prior to the procedure.

By Susan Fielding & Michael Rad

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