Gastric bypass

The purpose of Gastric Bypass surgery is to bypass some portion of the food consumed by the patient into the small intestine so that the digestive system absorbs lesser nutrients and calories. Doctors who perform this type of surgery are known as Bariatric surgeons.

Bariatric surgeons perform the surgery in either of two ways, as open surgery or as Laparoscopic surgery. In case of the former, a big surgical excision is made to open the belly to create a bypass on the small intestine, stomach and other organs. While in the latter, a tiny camera is inserted into the belly and surgical instruments are inserted through 4 to 6 cuts for creating the bypass.

It should be known that Gastric Bypass surgical procedure is not a magical fix for obesity. Post surgery, patients need to lead a healthy lifestyle by eating healthy foods, controlling food intake, and exercising.

Obesity is a life-threatening condition and therefore, seeking weight-loss surgery is the only solution when all other physical exercises or diet regime fails. Gastric Bypass procedure, which is one of the successful ways of treating obesity is a great option. In this regard, it is worth mentioning that there are certain guidelines to be followed before treatment of Gastric Bypass surgery.

• You should show a body mass index 40 or higher
• In case, individuals with body mass index between 35 and 39.9 and are having other weight-related problems like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, severe sleep apnea, etc., are eligible for undergoing the surgery.
• An extensive screening test before bypass surgery will be conducted to assess if you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. A group of doctors, dieticians and psychologists will try and evaluate whether the health benefits of the surgery are more than the associated risks. While determining your condition, the doctors will check through your weight and nutrition history, your medical condition, your psychological status, age, etc.
• Tell your doctor if you smoke since if you do then you will have to stop it several weeks before the surgery. Also, mention to your doctor regarding the herbs, vitamins, medicines and supplements that you take. Make sure that you have specified drugs on the day of the surgery as suggested by the doctor.
• Follow every instruction on when to stop drinking and smoking, and the medicines to be avoided or taken. Be present in the hospital on time on the day of surgery.

Before going into the question how Gastric Bypass surgery is performed, it should be known that the surgery is meant to shrink the size of the stomach. The purpose of the surgery is to bypass or re-route the patient’s digestive system to help them absorb as little calories as possible.

The surgery may be performed either through traditional process of open surgery or by means of laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. In the former case, a large cut is made in the belly to operate, while in the latter a tiny camera is placed in the belly and 4 to 5 incisions are done through which instruments are threaded inside to perform the operation. Whichever procedure is followed, the operation involves two major steps that have been discussed:

Step 1: The surgeon reduces the size of the stomach by using a staple to help divide the stomach into a smaller upper portion and a larger lower section. The upper small part is the pouch where the food travels directly. Post operation, the pouch is minimized to the size of a walnut which is able to hold only 1 ounce of food. As a result, the patient consumes lesser food than before.

Step 2: This involves the gastric bypass procedure. A portion of the patient’s small intestine is connected with the pouch with a small passage through it so that the food travels from the pouch through the hole into the small intestine. The purpose of the bypass procedure is to allow the body absorb fewer calories.

The advantages of laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery are greater than an open gastric bypass surgery. The former ensures shorter hospital stay, lesser pain, quicker recovery, lower risks of getting infected or having hernia and smaller scars.

Recovery

Post surgery, the patient is required to stay in the hospital 1 to 4 days. To ensure quick recovery of gastric bypass surgery, doctors suggest the following:

• Depending upon the patient’s condition after the surgery, he/she may be asked to walk a little and sit for a while on the bed.
• The doctors may or may not use a catherter attached to the bladder to remove urine.
• Another catherter may be used to insert through the nose directly to the stomach to allow draining of fluids from the intestine. If required, the cathereter will be used for a couple of days.
• In the initial one to two days, patients may not be able to eat anything. However, from the third or fourth day, ample liquid is given and if the patient can eat then some soft foods will also be given.
• Remember, blood clotting is a common symptoms post gastric bypass surgery. Therefore, the patient is required to wear a special type of stockings on the legs. Further, medicine shots help in prevention of blood clotting. Meanwhile, pain medicines are injected through an IV catherter that reaches to the vein.
• Remember, you won’t be discharged unless you are able to eat pureed food and liquid without vomiting, you are able to move around despite the pain and there is no more need of pain medicines to be given.