Do You Qualify For Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass is the surgical creation of a small pouch in the stomach to restrict food intake to far less than could be eaten before. A typical bypass patient, for instance, will only be able to hold a cup of food or less at a single meal. Weight is lost because far fewer calories are consumed and because a large section of the small intestine is bypassed which causes a decreased ability to absorb nutrients in food.

The benefits of gastric bypass include having a more normal life by losing massive amounts of weight – often over 100 to 200 pounds. Patients look better, fit into more normally sized clothes, are able to return to a more active lifestyle and drastically lower the risk factors associated with the major illnesses and conditions associated with morbid obesity. Yearly, 300,000 people in the U.S. die prematurely because of complications from massive obesity. Obesity is a cause of death second only to premature deaths related to cigarette smoking. In the year 2000, (the last year for which census statistics are available) costs related to obesity and overweight amounted to $117 billion. Obesity has been recognized as a chronic disease since 1985. About one-third of U.S. adults Americans are obese.

The ideal patient is at least one hundred pounds overweight, has tried – and failed – at least six diets, is between 15 and 65 years old, understands all the risks of the bypass procedure and is psychologically suited and able to actively take part in the many aspects of the post-operative, follow-up program for life. The most common way physicians screen candidates is by figuring their Body Mass Index, or BMI, a number that shows body weight adjusted for height. Candidates for gastric bypass must have a BMI of 40. Some patients who are suffering related conditions like life-threatening cardiopulmonary ailments or severe diabetes mellitus can have a BMI of 35 or more. Obesity is established as a major risk factor for diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and some cancers. Other associated conditions include sleep apneas, osteoarthritis, stroke infertility, intra-cranial hypertension, gastro-esophageal reflux and urinary stress incontinence.

Because there are so many complications, and because the surgery itself carries many risks, candidates must go through extensive psychological counseling and screening before going through with the operation.

To find out which procedure works best for you, consult a qualified practitioner who has extensive experience in performing gastric bypass. During consultations, doctors can learn more about the patients and vice versa. This visit gives the doctor a chance to evaluate the current state of the patient’s body and discuss options that will help the patient achieve a desired look. Consultation visits also give patients the opportunity to talk about their goals and expectations for their treatment and to ask any questions they might have. These visits also allow the doctors to inform the patient of the benefits, precautions, treatment response, adverse reactions, methods for administration and other important information.

Currently, there are two main types of gastric bypass procedures: The Roux-en-Y and the Extensive Gastric Bypass.

Roux-en-Y: The most common gastric bypass procedure currently performed. It creates a small stomach pouch to hold food by stapling most of the stomach and causes much of a meal to bypass that area of the intestines where many nutrients are absorbed. In some cases, a restrictive band is added to the bottom of the pouch. The band slows emptying of the pouch and is known as Vertical Banded Gastroplasty.

Extensive gastric bypass (bilopancreatic diversion.): A more complicated operation; this procedure surgically removes portions of the stomach and attaches it directly to the small intestine.

Your Bariatric surgeon will suggest, which procedure is right for you.

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