Gastric Bypass- Bariatric Surgery, Gastroenterology

What is Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass is one of the most widely recognized types of bariatric surgery in the United States. It is usually done when diet and exercise haven't worked or when you have serious medical problems as a result of your weight.

Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a type of weight reduction procedure that includes making a little pocket from the stomach and connecting the recently made pocket directly into the small intestine. After gastric bypass, swallowed food will go into this little stomach pocket and later into the small intestine, accordingly bypassing a large portion of your stomach and the main segment of your small intestine.

Which Doctor to Consult?

A group of medical experts consisting of endocrinologists, surgeons, dietitians and psychologists, recognizes those who may likely benefit from gastric bypass and works seriously with you to help accomplish good outcomes after the procedure.

Why Is Gastric Bypass Required?

Gastric bypass and other weight reduction surgical procedures may be an option for you if:

• You have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, otherwise known as known as extreme obesity
• You have a BMI of 35 to 39.9, otherwise known as obesity, and you have serious weight-related medical issues, such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension or extreme sleep apnea. You may also qualify if your BMI is 30 to 34 and you have serious weight-related medical issues.

Gastric bypass is not for everyone who is severely overweight. You may need to meet certain criteria to be qualified. You will likewise undergo a screening procedure to check whether you qualify. You should likewise make lasting improvements to your lifestyle.

What to expect during the procedure?

Your gastric bypass process will rely on your individual situation and your doctor's practices. Some procedures are done with traditional open incisions in the abdomen. However, most are performed laparoscopically, which includes embedding instruments through numerous little entry points in your abdomen.

After making the entry points with the open or laparoscopic method, the doctor cuts over the highest point of your stomach, fixing it off from the other parts of your stomach. The subsequent pocket is similar to the size of a walnut and can hold just around an ounce of food. Usually, your stomach can hold around 3 pints of food.

The doctor then cuts the small intestine and sews some portion of it onto the pocket. Food will go into this little pocket of stomach and after that into the small intestine that is sewn to it. Food will bypass the greater part of your stomach and the first area of your small intestine, and rather enters into the middle portion of your small intestine.

The surgical procedure takes only a few hours. After the procedure, you will be brought into the recovery room, where the medical staff monitors you for any problems.

Post-operative care

Following gastric bypass, you may have fluids yet no solid foods yet, as your stomach and intestines start to recover. You'll then have a special diet that changes gradually from fluids to soft foods. You can proceed to eat solid foods as your body can tolerate them.

You may have numerous restrictions on the amount and type of food and drink you can take. Your doctor will suggest that you take vitamin and mineral supplements after the procedure, including a multivitamin with iron, calcium and vitamin B-12.

You'll additionally have medical checkups to monitor your health in the initial months after weight reduction. You may require lab testing and different tests.

You may encounter changes as your body responds to the rapid weight loss in the initial three to six months after gastric bypass, including:

• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Feeling cold
• Dry skin
• Hair loss
• Mood changes

Complications

Similarly, as with any surgery, gastric bypass and other weight reduction procedures present potential risks, both short-term and long term. The risks may include bleeding, infection, hypersensitivity reactions, breathing problems and others. You may discuss this with your doctor.

References

• Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20385189. Accessed January 17, 2019
• Gastric bypass surgery: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm. Published 2019. Accessed January 25, 2019

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