Weighing In Is Gastric Bypass Right For You

Weighing In - Is Gastric Bypass Right for You?

Bariatric surgery is a gastric surgery for weight reduction in severely obese people. Although this is usually a very effective procedure, it is best for the patient to make sure this procedure right for him or her.

Usually a person who qualifies for a gastric bypass surgery will be 100 pounds over his or her ideal weight, or has a BMI of 40 or over. A person with a BMI of 35 or over may qualify if that person has heart problems, sleep apnea, or diabetes. In addition, previous weight loss programs and exercising routines have to have proven to be unsuccessful. The patient also needs to be prepared for the after affects of surgery.

Before deciding whether or not you are an eligible candidate for bariatric surgery, your doctor will conduct a series of evaluations upon you. These evaluations could include blood test, EKG, chest x-ray, pulmonary function test, upper gastrointestinal x-ray, gall bladder, ultrasound, and/or a psychiatric evaluation.

If you have pre-existing conditions such as alcoholism, hepatic cirrhosis and impaired liver functions, serious psychiatric disability or correctable hormonal causes of obesity, you are usually disqualified from having this surgery. When these conditions are corrected, you may have a better chance of a doctor to be willing to operate on you.

There are three types of Bariatric (gastric bypass) surgeries. One of those is the Roux-en-Y Procedure in which the surgeon staples across the top portion of the stomach, creating a small stomach pouch. This new stomach pouch is then connected to the small intestine. This will help reduce the amount of food eaten, and reduce the absorption of calories eaten. If the person has gallstones, the surgeon can remove the gall bladder to prevent further formation of these stones.

The second type of Gastric Bypass surgery is the Laparoscopic surgery. In this type of surgery, the surgeon makes tiny incisions through the abdomen in which the patient is operated on with the use of a laparascope, which is a fiber optic tube which has a small camera on it. This small camera allows the insides of the person under the abdomen to be seen clearly during the procedure. Then, as in the first procedure, the doctor will sew the stomach shut to create a pouch. The third type of procedure used during gastric bypass surgery involves the use of a silicone band to create a small pouch using the top portion of the stomach. This helps reduce appetite while not interrupting the normal digestion process.

The above information will tell you if gastric bypass surgery is right for you. The following is some additional information you may need to know regarding your surgery, if you and your doctor agree to have this surgery performed on you.

Before admission to the hospital, your surgeon will send you to the lab for pre-operative test. In addition, you may be asked to stop smoking or drinking alcohol up to one month before the date of the surgery. Along with that, you could be told not to take aspirin or arthritis medications because they can slow blood clotting. Also recommended is for you to discuss blood donations options in case you need a blood transfusion. You may even have to donate your own blood two weeks in advance.

The result you get from your gastric bypass surgery depends on the type of surgical procedure you have done, and how committed you are to making the right lifestyle changes. For instance, if you just had a gastric bypass surgery, your chances of losing weight will depend upon whether or not you follow through with an exercise program and a diet plan. Age, sex, and initial weight before surgery can also have an effect on a person's ability to lose weight after surgery.

Many patients lose from 50-90% of their excess body weight within 12-18 months after surgery. Even if they do not reach their ideal weight, they are less likely to continue suffering from heart trouble, diabetes, sleep apnea, arthritis, and back pain. The patient's overall quality of life is dramatically changed.

If you are wondering if gastric bypass surgery is right for you, consult your physician and have him conduct the appropriate evaluation of your situation. He is sure to help you make the right decision.

Once you find out you are an ideal candidate for the gastric surgery, you are on your way to a higher quality of life. Not only that, but you will be healthier, too.