What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries, known collectively as bariatric surgery, involve modifying your digestive system to support in weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure where the stomach is reduced to a small pouch and the small intestine is divided into two parts. This surgery can be used to treat obesity and other conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure. In some cases, gastric bypass surgery may be recommended for people who have had weight-loss problems despite following a healthy diet.
Gastric bypass surgery involves making changes to the stomach and intestines. This creates a smaller stomach that limits how much food can be eaten at one time. The intestines are also reshaped so that food moves more quickly through them. These changes help patients feel full sooner and eat less over time.
How is Gastric Bypass Surgery performed?
Six small incisions are made to allow the insertion of a small scope connected to a video camera and the tools required for the procedure. The stomach will be divided into two sections by the surgeon, resulting in a small pouch weighing less than one ounce that will serve as the new stomach. This restricts the amount of food that can be consumed at once. It also gives you a sense of fullness and satisfaction while eating smaller portions of food. The larger, remaining section of the stomach remains connected to the digestive tract and continues to function by secreting digestive juices; however, this section of the stomach no longer receives food.
During gastric bypass surgery, a section of the small intestine known as the jejunum is pulled up and actually connected to the small stomach pouch. The opposite side of the small intestine is surgically reconnected at a later stage in the small intestine. The intestine has taken on the shape of a “Y” hence, it is formerly called as Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass. When food is consumed, it enters the new stomach and then travels into the lower intestine, bypassing the lower stomach and upper intestine.
A significant advantage of this rerouting is that the hormones that promote poor blood sugar control are almost immediately affected, allowing patients to reduce or eliminate their diabetes medications almost immediately after surgery. Furthermore, the surgery appears to reduce appetite and promote satiety or fullness.
Patients are more likely to suffer from nutritional deficiencies because their bodies absorb fewer calories and nutrients. As a result, it is essential to follow a physician’s nutritional supplementation guidelines post-surgery.
This procedure can be done open or laparoscopically. Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery takes about 90 minutes, and patients usually stay in the hospital for one or two days. They could be back at work in as little as a week. Less blood loss, shorter hospitalization, less postoperative pain, faster recovery, and fewer wound complications are all advantages of laparoscopic bypass surgery over open bypass surgery (incisional hernias and infections).
When Gastric Bypass Surgery is performed?
Bariatric surgery is done when diet and exercise have kept failing or when you are experiencing serious health problems as a result of your weight such as.
- High Blood pressure.
- Heart disease
- Certain types of Cancer
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Diabetes type 2
- Stroke
Bariatric surgery is typically performed only after you have attempted to lose weight through improved diet and exercise habits.
Why Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Performed?
Those who are severely obese and are unable to lose weight through diet and exercise may benefit from gastric bypass surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery requires a significant commitment to a healthier lifestyle; patients must:
- Significantly change their way of life.
- Control one’s portion sizes.
- Regular exercise is essential.
This procedure may be performed on patients with a high BMI as well as obesity-related health conditions.
Health Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric Bypass surgery can be life-changing for those who want to lose weight. But did you know that there are so many more health benefits to it besides just taking that weight off?
The Health Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery go beyond simply losing weight:
- Weight loss over time: Many people who have gastric bypass surgery lose weight quickly and continue to lose weight for months or years after the procedure.
- Obesity-related illnesses such as Diabetes, High blood pressure, Osteoarthritis (joint pain) Obstructive sleep apnea, etc. can be reduced or cured.
- Type 2 diabetes remission for the long term: According to one study, bariatric surgery results in long-term remission of type 2 diabetes. According to the results of this study, the procedure is highly effective for obese patients with type 2 diabetes, with almost all patients remaining free of insulin and other related medications for at least three years after surgery.
- Cardiovascular health has improved: Weight loss surgery lowers the risk of coronary heart disease, stroke, and peripheral heart disease. Furthermore, one study found that weight loss from surgery can help reduce the risk of death associated with stroke, hypertension, and myocardial infarction. After surgery, blood pressure and cholesterol levels can return to normal or near-normal levels, reducing these risks and improving overall well-being.
- Improved quality of life and mood: Many people who have gastric bypass surgery report less depression and anxiety, as well as better self-esteem, sexual function, and social interactions.
- Helps in Depression relief: Many obese people are depressed as a result of their poor body image and social stigma. Even younger people who are significantly overweight find it difficult to participate in activities they would otherwise enjoy, leading to social isolation and depression. Losing this excess weight can improve these patients’ emotional health. It was discovered that people who underwent bariatric surgery had a 32.7 percent decrease in depression at the time of surgery and a 16.5 percent decrease six to twelve months later.
- Get rid of obstructive sleep apnea: Maintaining a normal weight allows people with sleep apnea to stop using a Continuous positive airway machine at night. One year after surgery, approximately 80 to 85 percent of patients experience remission of their sleep apnea.
- Pain relief in the joints: Excess weight puts a lot of strain on your weight-bearing joints, which can lead to chronic pain and joint damage. Significant and sustained weight loss after bariatric surgery relieves joint stress and often allows people to discontinue pain medications and enjoy much greater mobility.
- Increase fertility: Weight loss surgery can also help with fertility during the childbearing years. One study found that bariatric surgery reduces the risk of miscarriage and improves menstrual cycles in women who don’t ovulate.
Other medical conditions can be alleviated. Weight loss surgery can also help with metabolic syndrome, pregnancy complications, gallbladder disease, and other health problems.
Requirements to undergo Gastric Bypass Surgery
Those who are candidates for gastric bypass surgery include:
- Those who have a BMI of 40 or higher, or who are about 30kg more than their weight.
- Those who have at least two obesity-related conditions and have a BMI greater than or equal to 35. This could include, among other things, Type 2 Diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease.
- Those who are unable to achieve a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
From weight loss to overall health benefits, discuss with our expert whether you’re a candidate for weight loss surgery and how you can start living a healthier lifestyle.
Book an Appointment with Dr. Pradeep Tripathi for Gastric Bypass Surgery. The top bariatric surgeon in Mumbai can be contacted at +91 91522 21666. For further information, you can email us at info@drpradeeptripathi.com