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

A virtual 'gastric band' helped me to shed two stones - find out how - Huddersfield Examiner

Daily Mail

A virtual 'gastric band' helped me to shed two stones - find out how
Huddersfield Examiner
Gastric band surgery is a step too far for many overweight people – even if it is the treatment of choice for celebrities such as Fern Britton and Vanessa ...
Vanessa Feltz still eating cupcakes despite having gastric band fittedDaily Mail

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Bariatric Surgery Cost-Effective in Very Obese With Diabetes Researchers look ... - ModernMedicine

ModernMedicine

Bariatric Surgery Cost-Effective in Very Obese With Diabetes Researchers look ...
ModernMedicine
2 (HealthDay News) -- Both gastric bypass and gastric banding are cost-effective ways to reduce diabetes-associated complications and mortality among ...

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Plump Vanessa in cake scoff - The Sun

stv.tv

Plump Vanessa in cake scoff
The Sun
VANESSA Feltz may have recently had a gastric band fitted but her love of sweet treats seems to be preventing her from losing weight. ...
Weight Loss Surgery not working for Vanessa FeltzObesity Campaign UK
Vanessa Feltz is Vic's brideThe Sun

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Under the knife - BBC News

Sky News

Under the knife
BBC News
The British Medical Journal reports operations such as gastric banding and bypasses rose from 238 a year to more than 2543 in 2007. BBC News website readers ...
Ten Times More Obesity Surgery in England than in 2000Softpedia
Obesity Surgery Up Tenfold In EnglandMedical News Today
Weight loss ops increased ten-fold in EnglandCar Rentals
BigPond News -Daily Mail -WebMD.Boots.com
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Tina Malone reveals gastric band success - Digital Spy

NEWS.com.au

Tina Malone reveals gastric band success
Digital Spy
Actress Tina Malone has claimed that having a gastric band fitted is the "best thing" she has done in her life. ...
Tina Malone: gastric band & toyboy husband (Photos)Right Fashions (blog)
Gastric band TV star to wed toy boyHerald Sun
Gastric Band Surgery worked for me says ActressIn2town

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Gastric Surgery Could Solve Not Only Weight, But Emotional Problems Also - Visit Bulgaria

TopNews United Kingdom (blog)

Gastric Surgery Could Solve Not Only Weight, But Emotional Problems Also
Visit Bulgaria
As a last resort to control their weight, these patients had gastric bypass operations, otherwise also known as stomach stapling and gastric banding. ...
189 patients have weight-loss surgery on the NHS in LincolnshireLincolnshire Echo
Denying gastric surgery would be the thin end of the wedgeHerald Scotland
Gastric Surgery – A Good Option for Shunning Off WeightTopNews United Kingdom (blog)
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Two Scots tell how belly band helped get them in shape - Scottish Daily Record

Two Scots tell how belly band helped get them in shape
Scottish Daily Record
The British Medical Journal has reported that operations such as gastric banding and bypasses rose from an average of 238 a year to more than 2543 in 2007. ...

On the Pulse 3rd September 2010 - OnMedica

On the Pulse 3rd September 2010
OnMedica
Only a couple of weeks ago, this column mentioned that bariatric surgical procedures – mainly gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, and gastric banding – are ...

Chicago Weight Loss Surgeons Discuss Fad Diet Pitfalls - PR Web (press release)

PR Web (press release)

Chicago Weight Loss Surgeons Discuss Fad Diet Pitfalls
PR Web (press release)
The doctors at Suburban Surgical Care say the LAP-BAND® Adjustable Gastric Banding procedure leads to gradual weight loss over a period of several months to ...

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Government of South Carolina pays “gastric bypass' to obese employees - Momento24 English

Atlantic Drugs

Government of South Carolina pays “gastric bypass' to obese employees
Momento24 English
... known as 'gastric bypass' or “gastric banding”, with would reducie the size of the patient's stomach and limit the amount of food eaten. ...
South Carolina to cover obesity surgery next yearThe Associated Press
Weight loss surgery for SC government workersCNN (blog)
South Carolina Will Spend $2.4-Million On Weight Loss SurgeriesOzarksFirst.com (blog)
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