Gastric Bypass Awareness

Sometimes, even the most committed gym-goer and extreme dieter will find it difficult to stay motivated and achieve healthy weight-loss. For these individuals, gastric bypass surgery may be a consideration. This is a serious and life-altering procedure and should always be discussed fully with a medical professional. Before speaking with your doctor, there are a number of things any potential patient should be aware of

Making Choices Whether using NHS services, or opting for private treatment, choosing your hospital and surgeon is key. Do as much research as you can to ensure your surgeon has enough relevant experience and a good track record. Most surgical procedures are completed without difficulty, though poor standards of care can lead to patients having to launch medical negligence cases .Unhygienic practices, a lack of aftercare can all lead to problems, so make sure you learn as much about your doctor, hospital and procedure beforehand to avoid having to make any medical claims.

The Procedure: A gastric bypass operation splits the stomach into two smaller pouches, and makes the digestive system shorter. This reduces the stomach’s capacity, meaning you are not able to eat as much, which will aid weight loss. There are a number of variations on the procedure, with many surgeons aiming to use ‘laparoscopy,’ the least invasive method.

Reasons for Gastric Bypass: Individuals should only consider gastric bypass surgery after they have tried alternative methods of weight loss. Regular exercise and a healthy diet should both be followed before resorting to surgery. There are also a number of weight loss medications which can be used to help shed the pounds. Gastric bypass procedures are carried out to treat obesity, the main criteria for this being a BMI (body mass index) of over 40.

Recovering from Surgery: It is important to weigh up the risks and reasons for surgery against the hoped-for outcome. One risk of surgery is blood clots, which can cause serious complications – you may have to take medication to thin the blood after surgery, to reduce these risks. Those considering gastric bypass surgery should be aware that full recovery can take several weeks. Immediately after surgery you will be on a diet of liquids, with solid foods being introduced gradually. A hospital stay of around three to six days is normal, although regular activity should not be resumed for a number of weeks. At this stage, patients return to hospital for a second, minor, procedure which takes around 15 minutes.

Life after Surgery: If a gastric bypass operation is completed without complications, many patients can expect a greater quality of life after surgery. It will
be possible to eat only small amounts of food, and a healthy diet and exercise will be encouraged by your doctor. One effect of gastric band surgery is a reduction in functionality of the small intestine, meaning daily vitamin and mineral supplements need to be taken.

There is a lot to consider when thinking of gastric bypass surgery, and all of these issues should be discussed in full with a doctor.
 

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