Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery

By Neelam Goswami 

Gastric bypass surgery is a viable solution for those people who are severely obese with a body mass index (BMI) of more than 40, and whose weight continues to grow even after taking strict low-calorie diet and frequent fat burning workouts.

The past quarter of the twentieth century has witnessed an epidemic surge of obesity the world over. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data shows that 33.8% of US adults are struggling with obesity, a medical condition that can lead to a number of health hazards like heart diseases, type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

Severe obesity, sometimes known as morbid obesity, cannot be treated by diet, exercise and weight loss pills alone. Therefore, a large number of morbidly obese people who have tried in vain to lose weight through traditional means now are opting for weight loss surgeries to say goodbye to flab.

There are several types of weight-loss surgery, known collectively as bariatric surgery and gastric bypass is one of them.

Gastric bypass and other weight loss surgeries like lap band, and sleeve gastrectomy surgery hold considerable promise for removing that stubborn body fat in extremely obese people.

Also known by a number of alternative names such as roux-en-Y gastric bypass, laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery, sleeve bypass surgery, Roux-en-Y bypass surgery or RNY bypass surgery, gastric bypass can be very effective in helping the morbidly obese people shed those extra pounds quickly.

It is the most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the United States, with an estimated 140,000 gastric bypass surgeries being carried out in the country every year, as per the estimates of the American Society for Bariatric Surgery.

Surgical Overview
This surgery is performed in two parts. The operation starts with the creation of a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake and subsequent bypassing the initial segment of the small intestine to make the digestive system shorter, reducing ability of the stomach to absorb calories and nutrients from food.

While performing the surgery, a bariatric surgeon shrinks the size of your stomach by creating a small pouch at the top of your stomach with the help of staples so that you eat less, and feel full sooner.

Next, the operation involves bypassing of the duodenum and other segments of the small intestine to cause malabsorption. A new opening from the newly created stomach pouch is made, and a section of the small intestine is attached to it to allow food to bypass your old stomach and the first part of your intestine.

The Growing Popularity of Gastric Bypass
The popularity of this kind of weight loss surgery stems from the fact that obese people usually lose significant amount of weight. Following the surgery, a bypass surgery patient can lose two-thirds of their excess weight within two years when compared to other forms of bariatric surgery.

What's more, weight loss produced by a gastric bypass surgery usually remains lost even a decade after the surgery. As well, the surgery carries fewer complications than do other forms of weight-loss surgery.

Another reason for this surgery's popularity is that it is performed laparoscopically, meaning no large incisions or cuts are made in the abdomen. Since the surgery utilizes minimal abdominal incisions, it makes easier for you to recover faster and in short length of time, it's not suitable for everyone though.

Gastric bypass, indisputably, can end your struggle with obesity and related medical conditions forever. But like any other surgical procedure, it does come with its fair share of downsides. Therefore, be sure to talk to your bariatric surgeon about pros and cons associated with the surgery before you go for it.