Relevant answers to your frequent questions...

Gastric Bypass Surgery: Frequently Asked Questions

What is gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass is a surgical method used to help people with morbid obesity lose weight and reverse other health problems associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure and Type II diabetes. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, creates a small pouch in the top of the stomach to which the small intestine is connected. With a smaller stomach, the patient feels "full" sooner and is less likely to overeat. ...
Gastric bypass surgery provides an effective tool to limit the amount of food eaten and to change how food calories are absorbed. It must be understood that the surgery is not magic: it works with you, not for you. By working consistantly to make appropriate food choices and behavioral changes, a successful, long-term health impact is possible.
Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical method used to help people with morbid obesity lose weight and reverse other health problems associated with being overweight, such as high blood pressure and Type II Diabetes. The Roux-en-y gastric bypass creates a small pouch in the top of the stomach to which the small intestine is connected. With a smaller stomach, the patient feels "full" sooner and is less likely to overeat. ...

Is the gastric bypass surgery reversible?

Gastric bypass surgery is reversible, but to reverse this procedure requires additional surgery. Once the procedure is reversed, there is potential for total regain of all weight.
Gastric bypass surgery is considered a permanent operation. However, it can be reversed for medical reasons only if you suffered from severe malnutrition which is extremely rare. None of your organs are removed from the body so theoretically the surgery can be reversed. Dr. Garber has never had to reverse any patient with this surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery is considered a permanent operation. Banding procedures can be reversed for medical reasons only if you suffered from severe malnutrition which is extremely rare.

What Are The Criteria For Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Some of the criteria for gastric bypass are as follows: Weight in excess of 100 lbs. over the standard for height, sex, an age. Body Mass Index greater than 35-40. Sincere attempts and inability to maintain adequate weight loss by nonsurgical methods. Presence of one or more serious comorbidities such as: high blood pressure diabetes sleep apnea arthritis or degenrative joint disease in weight bearing joints

What is involved in gastric bypass surgery?

The operation is performed laparoscopically and takes approximately 4 hours. The upper part of the stomach is divided and joined onto the small bowel so that the main reservoir of the stomach is bypassed. A small amount of small bowel is also bypassed. The hospital stay is 3 to 5 days. Fluid is started on the first postoperative day and built up to full diet by six weeks.
The operation is performed laparoscopically and takes approximately 2 hours. The upper part of the stomach is divided and joined onto the small bowel so that the main reservoir of the stomach and some part of small bowel are bypassed. The hospital stay is 3 to 5 days. Fluid is started on the first postoperative day and built up to full diet by six weeks.

Can gastric-bypass surgery be reversed?

Yes. Reversing gastric bypass surgery is possible. The procedure is intended to be a permanent change, but because the stomach is bypassed, not removed, surgeons can undo the pouch.

What are the risks of gastric bypass surgery?

As is true with any operation, there are complications associated with gastric bypass surgery. One of the most serious is leakage where the stomach pouch meets the small intestine. With no treatment, approximately one in four gastric bypass patients will develop gallstones following surgery. That is why a bile thinning medication is prescribed after surgery. Some other complications include abdominal hernia, wound infection, and bowel obstruction. ...
Like any operation, a gastric bypass does have associated risks. The main risk is the surgery itself, therefore you should ensure your gastric bypass surgeon is qualified, experienced and has a high success rate in gastric bypass surgery. Aside from this the most common health risk is nutritional deficiency, so a specific series of vitamin supplements will be recommended to you following your surgery. ...

Are there risks in Gastric Bypass surgery?

As with any surgery, there are risks such as bleeding, infection, or an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Other risks include, anastomotic leakage, deep venous thrombosis, pulmonary embolism, follow-up operations to correct complications, increased risk for gallstones and nutritional deficiencies such as anemia. Your surgeon will inform you of the risks prior to surgery.

What are the benefits of gastric bypass surgery?

The surgery is an accepted long-term weight control tool with established health benefits. Gastric bypass surgery (malabsorpitive techniques) tends to produce greater weight loss than surgeries that only use restrictive techniques. Over half of the weight loss surgery patients lose about two-thirds of their excessive weight within two years. While some weight rebound may occur, most patients can keep off roughly 100 pounds of the weight they’ve lost over the long term. ...
Right after surgery, most patients lose weight quickly and continue to lose for 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Although most patients regain five to 10 percent of the weight they lost, many maintain a long-term weight loss of about 100 pounds. Surgery improves most obesity-related conditions. For example, in one study blood sugar levels of 83 percent of obese patients with diabetes returned to normal after surgery. ...
Patients who have gastric bypass surgery realize dramatic weight loss over a one-year to two-year period and experience a reduction or complete elimination of health complications related to obesity, including coronary heart disease , gallbladder disease , high cholesterol levels, hypertension, osteoarthritis , sleep apnea and respiratory problems and Type II diabetes mellitus .

What are the indications for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

You have a diagnoses of Severe or Morbid Obesity, by definition is a BMI of 40 or greater, or a BMI between 35 & 40 accompanied by serious medical problems like lung disease, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease or severe joint disease. You have failed to lose significant weight by other methods such as supervised diet, exercise and medications. You are unable to perform routine daily activities due to limitations caused by your overweight condition. ...

How does Gastric Bypass Surgery work?

Gastric Bypass Surgery will change: 1. The volume of food you can comfortably eat at one time 2. Your ability to tolerate different types of food. 3. The absorption and digestion of fat calories 4. The absorption and digestion of proteins 5. The absorption and digestion of the calories from sugars, starches and alcohols Diet and exercise are key components for ensuring success following Bariatric surgery. ...

What are the successes and Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Although complications may occur, the benefits of surgery outweigh the risk in carefully selected patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that up to 80% of excess body weight can be lost, and that 40-70% of excess body weight lost can be maintained for as long as 5 years. 95% of diseases related to obesity can be improved or cured. ...

Who qualifies for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

To qualify for gastric bypass surgery, you will need to meet the following requirements: * You have failed repeated, medically-supervised attempts at losing weight and controlling your obesity * You are 100 pounds over your ideal body weight and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40, or a BMI of 35 (approximately 80 pounds over ideal body weight) if you have a serious associated medical complication or other obesity-related disease(s) * You have had a consultation with one of our Bariatric Surgeons an... ...

Who is eligible for gastric bypass surgery?

Anyone who is morbidly obese and who has not had success with other weight-loss methods is eligible. Be sure to check with your insurance company to verify coverage and determine if a physician referral or other requirements are necessary.

Are There Complications To Gastric Bypass Surgery?

WLS is a major surgical process and may have short and long term complications. The mortality rate of WLS is less than 1%. In the immediae post operative period the major complications may include blood clots forming in the legs and traveling to the lungs or a leak at the junction of the new stomach and the small intestine. Other problems that may occur in the perioperative peirod may include wound infections, blockage of the outlet from the stomach, ulcers, pulmonary problems and thromophlebitis. ...

How do I qualify for gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is only recommended for people who are 90 pounds or more overweight and have serious medical complications that will be helped or cured by substantial weight loss.

Does my insurance company cover a gastric bypass surgery?

Most insurance companies do cover gastric bypass surgery for morbid obesity as long as the surgery is medically necessary. It is not uncommon to be denied on the initial application for pre-approval. If you were denied initially, we would appeal this a first and even second time. Usually if a patient medically qualifies for gastric bypass surgery, we can get an approval although it does sometimes require some patience as well as persistence.

What are the greatest risks associated with gastric bypass surgery?

Potentially fatal risks include leaks from the stomach or intestine and embolism (blood clots). The chances of these complications occurring are between 1% and 2%. The risk of death associated with bariatric surgery is less than 1%. » More about Risks

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE OLD STOMACH AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY?

The old stomach remains in the same position as before surgery. The stomach is still connected to other organs in the abdomen and still produces stomach acids after surgery. However, the stomach acids do not meet the food until farther down the intestinal tract after surgery.

What is the youngest patient that can undergo gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric Bypass surgery has been performed on patients as young as 16 years of age. In this age group, the concern is that the patient make the decision for surgery him- or her-self, and that there be a full understanding and commitment to the life long altered eating pattern which will be necessary for success. back to top

What is the follow-up routine after gastric bypass surgery?

Usually patients are scheduled for a follow-up office visit between 7-10 days after surgery, then again at 6 weeks, 3 months, 6 months, one year after the surgery and yearly thereafter. You can make appointments to be seen at intervals more frequently if needed. If your appointment is too distant for your needs, we allow walk-in patients if you feel there is a need to see a doctor. As a walk-in patient, you might have to wait to be seen, but you will be seen.

How safe is gastric bypass surgery (stomach stapling)?

Like every operation, there is a risk. Because you may already have health-related problems, there is an increased risk of complications. Your doctor should thoroughly screen you to make sure that there are no surprises on the operating table.

Why am I vomiting after gastric bypass surgery?

This can happen after surgery for many reasons: often it is related to what or how you are eating. Vomiting may be caused by: advancing your diet too soon (Phase 1 to Phase 2 for example), eating too fast, not chewing enough, eating too much, eating food that is too dry, too sugary, or too high in fat. Remember to take care of your new stomach by starting new ways of eating! Take smaller portions, chew slowly and thoroughly, and do not drink liquids with meals. ...
Bookmark this page  

Also on SnappyFingers: