The basics of gastric bypass surgery

For some people, it can be next to impossible to lose a great deal of weight. When the weight of an individual starts to affect their health to a high degree, it may be time to take drastic action to solve the problem. To that end, many turn to gastric bypass surgery. In this article, we'll give you a basic overview of the procedure so that you can understand exactly what it entails. Once you know more about the surgery, you can better determine whether or not it is a proper option for you.

Gastric bypass surgery helps many to lose weight by making the person's stomach a smaller size. This is done via surgery, and it results in the patient being unable to consume a large amount of food without getting sick. This can cut down the person's caloric intake to a certain degree, allowing their bodies to burn fat more efficiently, effectively curbing their problem with obesity. The surgery is often recommended for those who have a body fat index that is at a level of 40 or higher. This fat index represents a significant risk to the health of an individual if left untreated, so therefore, bypass surgery can be a godsend to those who have trouble losing weight.

There are a few conditions that can denote a perfect candidate for the surgery. For one, the surgery is most often employed in those who have been obese for a period of time that is at least five years or longer. It's not recommended for those who have a history of alcohol abuse, or those who have a problem with depression. Since the surgery is quite demanding of the body, it's recommended to only be performed on those who are between 18 and 65 years of age.

From a medical standpoint, the procedure is performed via a tightening of the stomach through the use of staples or a band that can trim down the stomach's size. This smaller stomach is then connected directly to the small intestine, with the bottom portion of the stomach being banded off and not used. There are two commonly employed surgical methods for achieving this procedure; one is an 'open' gastric bypass surgery in which a large incision is made in the abdomen. There is also the laproscopic approach in which a smaller incision is made and the procedure is performed through the use of small tools and a camera mounted on a tube to achieve the surgeon's objectives. A patient getting the surgery performed can expect a hospital stay between four and six nights while their body adjusts to the new way of processing food.

With a surgery as drastic as gastric bypass surgery, there are definitely some risks that are involved. You face the risk of developing an infection from the abdomen incision, as well as the chance of the stomach leaking into the abdominal cavity. Blood clot in the lung also may occur, and roughly thirty three percent of all people who get the surgery experience a side effect such as gall stones, anemia, or osteoporosis.

Gastric banding news on the Web

Fat Surgery Urged for Obese Kids May Boost Allergan - BusinessWeek

Fat Surgery Urged for Obese Kids May Boost Allergan
BusinessWeek
Gastric banding is usually performed through two to five small cuts in the belly. The band is placed around the upper part of the stomach, and its width can ...
Auburn's Dr. Fox to appear at Seattle BashAuburn Reporter

all 4 news articles »

Avera Medical Minute: LAP-BAND Patient Loses 160 pounds - KSFY

KSFY

Avera Medical Minute: LAP-BAND Patient Loses 160 pounds
KSFY
This adjustable gastric banding surgery is done laparoscopically at Avera Queen of Peace. It works by limiting the amount a food a person can eat to a cup ...
Avera Medical Minute: LAP-BAND Surgery in Mitchell Live 3/09/10KSFY

all 2 news articles »

News Briefs - March 13, 2010 - Santa Rosa Press Gazette

News Briefs - March 13, 2010
Santa Rosa Press Gazette
The second, newer approach performed is adjustable gastric banding. Using a laparoscope, the surgeon places an inflatable band around the stomach, ...

Gastric Bypass Surgery Could Be Key to Reversing Diabetes in Non-Obese Patients - Diabetes Health (press release)

Diabetes Health (press release)

Gastric Bypass Surgery Could Be Key to Reversing Diabetes in Non-Obese Patients
Diabetes Health (press release)
Some people assert that a much simpler procedure, gastric banding, can produce the same effects as bypass surgery at far less cost and danger to patients. ...

and more »

Surgery for Obese Children? - New York Times

New York Times

Surgery for Obese Children?
New York Times
Researchers in Australia followed 50 adolescents; half underwent an intensive, supervised program for lifestyle change, and half underwent gastric banding. ...
FDA Considers Approval of Gastric Banding for TeensHealthNews
Gastric Banding Results in Huge Weight Loss in TeensTopNews New Zealand
Vote in This Week's Poll: Should obese teens get gastric bypass surgery?About - News & Issues (blog)
Mirror.co.uk -Press of Atlantic City -Daily Mail
all 39 news articles »

BayCare Health System Offers Weight Loss Information Sessions Throughout the ... - FOXBusiness

BayCare Health System Offers Weight Loss Information Sessions Throughout the ...
FOXBusiness
March/April 2010 Information Sessions ------------------------------------- Monday, March 15 - 6PM-7PM Richard DiCicco, MD Adjustable Gastric Band Trinity ...

Gastric Banding for Teens Under Review by FDA - Weight Loss Surgery Channel

Weight Loss Surgery Channel

Gastric Banding for Teens Under Review by FDA
Weight Loss Surgery Channel
The FDA is currently considering broadening its standards on gastric banding to include teens ages 14 to 17. Currently, adjustable gastric banding surgery ...

Richard B. Rubenstein Receives Cambridge Who's Who's Highest Honor - PR-CANADA.net (press release)

Richard B. Rubenstein Receives Cambridge Who's Who's Highest Honor
PR-CANADA.net (press release)
... PC A renowned expert in the field of bariatric surgery, he performs thoracic, vascular and laparoscopic gastric banding (LAP-BAND ) surgery. ...

Sharon looking forward to grandmotherhood - Ireland Online

Sharon looking forward to grandmotherhood
Ireland Online
The TV star - who shed a substantial amount of weight after undergoing a gastric band operation nine years ago - is looking forward to the day when she can ...

and more »

Obesity rates put pressure on provinces to fund surgery - CTV.ca

Obesity rates put pressure on provinces to fund surgery
CTV.ca
"We have heard the opinion that the lap-band procedure is a less invasive kind of intervention compared to gastric bypass surgery," Oswald said. ...

and more »


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