Gastric Bypass refers to any one of a number of procedures used to treat morbid obesity, i.e. obesity that threatens the life of the patient.
Weight loss tends to be very dramatic but is sometimes accompanied by other health problems. The procedure involves significant changes in the patient's lifestyle.
A Gastric Bypass entails dividing the stomach into two areas - one small and one larger - allowing food to bypass part of the stomach. This decreases the functional volume of the stomach, meaning that patients tend to eat much smaller quantities of food. The new smaller stomach will typically be only 30ml (vs. 400ml pre-surgery).
There are 3 main types of Gastric Bypass surgery - Loop, Roux-en-Y (proximal) and Roux-en-Y (distal). Each has its own characteristics, with differing amounts of the small bowel left intact. Roux-en-Y (proximal) is generally used these days as it leaves more of the small bowel and allows the patient to absorb more nutrients.
On a practical level, patients find that they become full very quickly, often after just a few bites of food. The upper part of the stomach does not really stretch, so there should be no need to reoperate. Patients can find themselves vomiting if they eat too fast, so good habits are quickly instilled in the patient.
A Gastric Bypass is for patients qualified as morbidly obese. This usually means a BMI of 40 or more. Conditions qualified as co-morbid that result from this obesity include:
Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease, Diabetes Mellitus, Hypertension, Obstructive Sleep Apnoea, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Gall-Bladder Disease, Liver Disease, Degenerative Disc Disease
A 2004 conference of weight loss professionals, scientists, doctors and surgeons found that Bariatric surgery (like Gastric Bypass) was the most effective way to deal with morbid obesity.
Gastric Bypass involves a drastic change in diet that can make the months immediately after surgery very difficult for some patients. On an emotional level, some are dependent on food as an emotional support, a support which is now absent. Other problems can include lower energy levels and a feeling of weakness, attributed to lower protein intake.
It is common to experience these physical and emotional dips after the surgery, but patients usually rebound within about 3 months. Soon, the positive mental effects of weight loss will also help in emotional recovery.
Gastric Bypass is not without occasional problems. The most common is some kind of nutritional effect, caused by lower food consumption. Patients are given vitamin, protein and mineral supplements to take every day. Given time, the body will tend to adapt and these supplements may become optional.
More seriously, any kind of surgery has dangers. Problems that are specific to Gastric Bypass include infection, Haemorrhage, Hernia, Bowel Obstruction and more. This type of surgery has a complication rate of around 40%, which highlights the risks involved. Patients should fully consult their doctors before making any decision.
