Wednesday, June 1, 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.

Once you have made the decision to have the operation, you need to visit a general surgeon. Ensure that you have a discussion on the pros and cons of having such an operation and determine whether any other options exist. Most doctors hold the view that surgery should be done as a last resort. One needs to first attempt losing their unwanted weight by instituting lifestyle changes.

Candidates that are most likely to benefit from the surgery are those with a body mass index of 40 or more. If one is suffering from a condition that is aggravated by excess weight then a lower value may be accepted. Examples include sleep apnea, high blood pressure and diabetes among others. In these cases, surgery will help not only relieve the symptoms but will also help slow the progression.

The preparation require for the surgery resembles what happens for other major operations. A number of tests have to be conducted to establish that the candidate is ready to be operated on. Some of the most helpful tests at this point in time include hemogram (or full blood count) and renal function tests. There is also a need to stop drugs that may increase the risk of bleeding such as anticoagulants.

One of two techniques can be used in this surgery. The Roux-en-Y is the commonest. The stomach is first reduced into a small pouch through banding or stapling before joined to the last segment of the small intestines. The first two parts are skipped (bypassed). All this is done through small incisions created in the anterior abdominal wall. One of the reasons as to why the technique us popular is because of the low rate of complications.

Weight loss due to this technique occurs due to a number of mechanisms. A reduction in the stomach size means that you will experience early satiety and a general reduction in the amount of food that is eaten. Another mechanism involved is the reduction in the surface area that is available for absorption of nutrients mainly due to the rerouting of digested food.

The second alternative is what is termed extensive gastric bypass. This is a more radical approach that is mainly used in the event of biliary obstruction resulting from liver disease. It is for this reason that the procedure is sometimes called biliopancreatic diversion. The surgery itself involves the removal of the lower stomach portion and joining the upper portion to the lower part of the small intestines.

There are several complications that may be encountered. The commonest is malnutrition resulting from reduced absorption of nutrients. Dumping syndrome is also fairly common and may be seen in the immediate term or after some years. It is characterized by sweating, nausea, vomiting and weakness whose onset follow the intake of food.




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