Benefits Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

By Lisa Green


Bariatric surgeries are a group of operations that are performed with the sole aim of achieving weight loss. Those that are commonly performed in New York include banding, sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass surgery. Weight loss is achieved through reduced food intake (as a result of early satiety), reduced absorption of nutrients or both. We will look briefly at what is involved in the bypass procedure.

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 preparation needed for this surgery is similar to what would be required for any major operation. You need to have a number of tests that will help establish whether or not you are fit enough. Some of the tests that will be performed include a full blood count and renal function tests. You may also be asked to stop taking some drugs that are likely to impact negatively on the procedure such as aspirin and blood thinners.

There are two main techniques that are employed in performing this operation. The commoner of the two is known as Roux-en-Y. It is a technique that permits the performance of the surgery through a small opening which reduces the rate of complications and improves the recovery time. The stomach is first reduced in size through stapling or banding and then joined to Y-shaped part of intestines. The first and second intestinal portions are usually bypassed.

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 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.

Reduction in the absorption of essential nutrients is a common complication. This is mostly seen when extensive bypass is performed. Another possible complication both in the short term and long term is a condition popularly referred to as dumping syndrome. The features of dumping syndrome include sweating, weakness, vomiting and nausea. These symptoms are usually experienced a few minutes after eating due to rapid food movement.




About the Author:



No comments:

Post a Comment