Gastric Bypass - How Does it Work?

Unfortunately, nowadays, more than ever before, obesity is on the rise and it is a common, costly, and serious issue that is affecting a large part of the American, but the rest of the worldwide population as well. Being overweight is associated with serious health issues such as type 2 diabetes, some types of cancer, and cardiovascular disease. Consequently, this is why there has been an exponential rise in available weight loss methods, from implementing healthy diets and regular exercising to introducing over-the-counter meds and supplements. However, in some people with a very high BMI, a lot of these methods do not yield positive results or will help only minimally so it is good for obese individuals to know that there are specific surgical procedures that can help you put an end to being overweight and bring your risk of serious health complications to a minimum.

Are you overweight or obese?
Is your weight the main culprit for your health problems?
Are you considering surgery to combat your excessive weight?

If the answer to at least two of these questions is a yes, you should definitely continue reading the article to find out the most important information regarding gastric bypass, a surgery designed for people who are having problems with surplus weight, and put an end to obesity once and for all!

Gastric Bypass Explained

1. What is a gastric bypass surgery?

This is a surgical procedure which is performed on suitable patients with the goal to help them lose weight by making changes in how the small intestine and stomach process food and help the individual feel sated with smaller amount of it. And, did you know that the consumed food will no longer enter specific areas of the stomach and the small intestine that absorb food, and thus, the number of absorbed calories will be smaller? This is pivotal for preventing future weight gain if we take into consideration that higher intake of calories than the amount which the body can burn results in weight gain.

2. Gastric bypass, before and after

In consultation with a team of doctors, you may be deemed as a suitable candidate for gastric bypass surgery if you fulfill several important factors. Let us take a look at them in detail:

You are obese and have some weight-related issue like diabetes type 2
You are aware of the risks and advantages associated with the surgical procedure
You are prepared to adjust your diet and follow new way of eating after the surgery
You are fully dedicated to make the necessary improvements in your lifestyle to maintain your current weight

After a successful gastric bypass surgical procedure, the patient will:

Be able to shed up to 70 percent of their surplus weight within a period of 48 months
Eat less than they have eaten prior to the surgery due to the quicker feeling of satiety
Experience improvements in their overall health
Absorb fewer minerals

3. What are the associated costs with bypass surgery?

Will I have enough money to pay for the surgery and any additional costs? This is the most common question to which lot of individuals who are struggling with obesity and who are considering a weight loss surgery would like to know the answer to. With this in mind, in addition to being deemed as a suitable candidate to undergo the bypass surgery, it is also crucial to know whether you will be able to afford the procedure or not. Below, check out the average cost of bariatric surgeries depending on whether you have insurance or not:

Without insurance- between $8,000 and $28,000
With insurance- between $3,500 and $19,000

Additional costs that may arise after you have chosen a specific bariatric surgery like gastric bypass depend on the following several factors:

The hospital and surgeon you choose
Your insurance plan and benefits
Financing
Discounts
Tax saving

4. The requirements for gastric bypass surgery

Same as any other weight loss surgery, a gastric bypass is a procedure that will change your life and since there are specific benefits as well as risks attached to it, it is vital for the patient to meet several guidelines first in order to qualify for the surgery, including screenings, all with the goal to increase the chances for positive outcome and fewer negative side effects. Let us take a look at the necessary requirements now:

You have a BMI which is higher than 40
You did not manage to lose weight and improve your health with changes in your diet and regular exercising
You are suffering from serious health problem like hypertension or sleep apnea due to being overweight
You are a teenager who has passed puberty and has a BMI of 35 or higher and experiences some of the associated health issues with obesity
You will be assessed in terms of psychological preparedness for the surgery and mental health status
The doctors will also take into consideration your age, your medical conditions and history, as well as your dieting

5. Alternatives to gastric bypass surgery

Were you aware that there are other, less-invasive alternatives to gastric bypass surgery due to the constant research on innovative weight loss procedures going on? Namely, since there are a lot of obese individuals who would gladly reap the benefits from a gastric bypass surgery, but through some less serious procedure, it is beneficial to know that there are other alternatives they can opt for. Two such options are the following ones:

Gastric stimulation

This is a procedure involving the placement of electrodes or a pacemaker onto the wall of the stomach with the purpose to trigger the sensation of satiety with the help of the electrical impulses.

Stomach balloon

During this technique, an intragastric balloon is put into the stomach with the help of an endoscope (a tube inserted through the mouth), which is then filled with air or salt and water. The balloon is known to provide a feeling of satiety and the patient requires less food to be sated and as a result, they eat less and lose weight better and quicker. This balloon can remain in the stomach for no longer than 6 months.

There are also a couple of other bariatric surgeries that patients can choose from, in addition to gastric bypass:

Duodenal switch (80 percent of the stomach is removed and the end part of the intestine is connected to the duodenum)
LAGB (an inflatable band is placed around the upper area of the stomach with the goal to compress and tighten the stomach, thus, lower the amount of food which can be consumed)
Gastric sleeve (the stomach’s structure is reshaped into a tube-like form to minimize the level of calories which the body can absorb)

6. What are the complications from gastric bypass surgery?

Like with any other major surgical procedure, gastric bypass does pose specific health risks, both short- and long-term ones. Check out the list below to learn about the potential side effects of this surgery:

Infection
Bleeding
Negative reaction to anesthesia
Lung problems
Breathing problems
Blood clotting
Gastrointestinal leaks
Death (in rare cases)
Bowel obstruction
Dumping syndrome
Hernias
Gallstones
Low blood sugar levels
Malnutrition
Ulcers
Stomach perforation
Allergic reactions to medications

7. Recovery from the surgery

Without doubt, the first month after a gastric bypass surgery is the most challenging period for the patient, both physically and emotionally. Nonetheless, did you know that you can easily go through this period if you follow your doctor’s recommendations? After thirty days or so, most patients are able to go back to their daily activities. To speed up the healing process and recovery, take a look at the below-mentioned tips:

Follow the orders from your surgeon and doctor and ask any questions you have regarding your post-operative care
Lead the appropriate diet and exclude the consumption of solid foods for several months; also, you need to follow a liquid diet during the first week of the post-op period, as well as pureed and soft foods for two months afterwards
Walk around when you are physically able to so that you lower the chance for deep vein thrombosis; however, do not exaggerate with strenuous activities
Drink sufficient amount of water because it is pivotal for a faster recovery, especially when you begin to lose weight

It is also worth pointing out that one may be prone to specific changes during their recovery because of the body’s adaptation to the quick weight loss happening during the first 3 to 6 months after the surgery. Here are the most common ones:

Fatigue
Dry skin
Feeling cold
Body pain
Changes in mood
Hair loss or hair thinning

8. Gastric bypass diet

In order for the surgery to be effective long-term, it is highly recommendable to make the necessary diet changes. The right food after this procedure will keep you safe and help you adapt to your new, healthier diet habits. The diet for post-op patients is comprised of these 4 stages:

1^st week: water, sugar-free jello, fat-free milk, and fat-free broth
2^{nd and 3rd} week: pureed foods and protein shakes (egg whites, non-fat soft cheese)
4^th and 5^th week: soft foods (those that can be easily mashed) like lean chicken, fish, egg whites, tofu, carrots, tomatoes, potatoes, cucumbers, squash, avocados, bananas
6^th week: reintroducing solid foods (eat one new solid food at a time and chewing slower and preparing smaller meals)

9. Gastric bypass vs. gastric sleeve

When it comes to weight loss surgeries, it should be pointed out that gastric bypass and gastric sleeve are two distinct procedures. Do you want to learn the major differences between them? If yes, make sure you check out the following list:@

During a gastric sleeve, a part of the stomach is surgically removed and a tube-shaped stomach is produced, i.e. a sleeve, whereas during a bypass, a small pouch is attached to the intestine with the goal to bypass the stomach
The risk of dumping syndrome is lower after a gastric sleeve than after a bypass
In the first year after bypass surgery, the patients can lose from 60 to 80 percent of their surplus weight whereas the percentage after a sleeve is 60 to 70 percent after the same period

The complications from this procedure are very similar to the ones from a bypass. The most common ones being:

GERD
Malnutrition
Chronic or acute stricture
Gallstones

Final Thoughts on Gastric Bypass Surgery

Sometimes, when no other weight loss method helps, obesity can be surgically addressed with various procedures ranging from gastric bypass to gastric sleeve. When it comes to gastric bypass surgery, despite the rather high costs and the risks associated with it, it is definitely a viable solution for numerous patients who are experiencing deterioration in their health due to their excessive weight. This could be the lifesaving and life-improving solution they have been looking for.

Of course, in order for this procedure to be effective and to lower the side effects of it, it is pivotal to adhere to the doctor’s and surgeon’s orders and follow the appropriate diet so that your body can adjust easily to the new changes made in the stomach. Certainly, the benefits from this specific weight loss surgery are not to be neglected. In addition to a major weight loss, the patient will also significantly better their health by resolving or decreasing the severity of serious health issues like sleep apnea, heart disease, asthma, high cholesterol levels, and diabetes that are known to lower the quality of life.

Do you have any additional questions and concerns about this particular bariatric surgery? You can always consult your physician for more information.

Reference sites:

4.https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/weight-loss/in-depth/gastric-bypass-surgery/art-20046318

9.http://www.upmc.com/Services/bariatrics/approach/surgery-options/Pages/bypass-vs-sleeve.aspx

13.https://www.everydayhealth.com/diet-nutrition/weight-management/surgery/more-weight-loss-procedures.aspx