| Gastric Bypass Info |
| All information was obtained from Spotlighthealth.com This information is a summary of Gastric Bypass. For complete information please consult a bariatric surgeon. |
| Gastric Bypass is a surgical solution to obesity. It can aid in weight loss and keeping weight off. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has set standards for the ideal surgery candidate. The NIH says a candidate should: -be at least 100 pounds over ideal body weight -have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40 -or have a BMI over 35 along with significant co- morbidities such as: diabetes sleep apnea hypertension cardiovascular disease -or have a BMI over 35 along with significant obesity- induced physical problems which severely interfere with your ability to do things such as: walking working caring for your family -and have no significant contraindications to surgery This surgery achieves its effects by creating a very small, thumb-sized pouch at the top of the stomach, from which the rest of the stomach is permanently divided and separated. A segment of the small intestine is then attached to this pouch allowing food to bypass most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. Benefits: Immediately following surgery, most patients lose weight rapidly and continue to do so until 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Although most patients then start to regain some of their lost weight, few regain it all. Surgery improves most obesity-related co-morbid conditions. Risks and Complications: The surgery creates an open wound, which can bleed, fail to heal, or become infected. Follow-up operations to correct complications may be required. Abdominal hernias are the most common complications requiring follow-up surgery. Less common complications include breakdown of the staple line, stretched stomach outlets, and intra-abdominal infection. Gallstones may develop. Gallstones may be prevented with supplemental bile salts taken for the first 6 months after surgery. Nutritional deficiencies such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disease may develop. These deficiencies may be avoided if vitamin and mineral intakes are maintained. Women of childbearing age should avoid pregnancy until their weight becomes stable because rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus. The risk of death following the operation is small, but does exist, and is approximately 0.5%. A multi-vitamin must be taken everyday for the rest of a patients life to prevent malnutrition and ensure health. |
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