According to estimates calculated by the American Obesity Association, the costs related to obesity exceed $200 billion per year in the United States alone.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Gastric bypass surgery is the gold standard procedure for weight loss surgery. Although the surgery has been performed since the 1980's, it's popularity is only increasing. Not only are millions of people struggling with obesity, but celebrities who have undergone the procedure have kept it in the spotlight. The weight loss results are usually dramatic, which makes it a very enticing prospect to those who have not been able to lose weight with diet and exercise methods.
Gastric bypass surgery is a major gastrointestinal surgery that is performed only as a last resort treatment for people who are morbidly obese and have tried everything else to lose weight. It is not meant for someone who is only slightly overweight. In addition to the excess weight, many morbidly obese people also have a high incidence of serious health conditions that can be improved thru significant weight loss.
Is Gastric Bypass Surgery For You?
Within the field of bariatric surgery, also known as weight loss surgery, gastric bypass surgery is perhaps one of the most frequently performed types of surgery. Although the procedure is generally accepted as a beneficial treatment for qualifying patients, it may not be the best choice for you. Before undergoing any medical procedure, it is important for prospective patients to learn about the different aspects regarding weight loss surgery so that they can determine if the gastric bypass procedure is the appropriate route for them to take with regard to weight loss.
How Gastric Bypass Surgery Helps with Weight Loss
Gastric bypass surgery is both a restrictive and malabsorptive procedure. These approaches help with weight loss because it restricts the amount of food that can be eaten as well as limits food digestion and absorption. In addition to a smaller stomach, the occurrence of dumping syndrome keeps a person from eating high-sugar and high-fat foods that are also high in calories.
When the body takes in less food than it needs, it turns to it's reserves for energy. The body will turn to excess fat or muscle tissue for the fuel it needs to function. Exercise will keep the body from feeding on it's own muscle tissue, and in turn excess fat will be consumed. Exercise and reduced calorie intake will lead to healthy and successful weight loss after gastric bypass surgery.
Changes to the Digestive System
The most common variation of gastric bypass surgery is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery (RNY). With this procedure, a smaller stomach pouch is created using either surgical staples or a plastic band to divide the stomach. The new smaller stomach is connected to the middle portion of the small intestine. The larger portion of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine is bypassed. A smaller stomach forces smaller meal portions and bypassing part of the small intestine leads to less absorption of nutrients and calories into the body. While the procedure can be very effective, it is not reversible and is only advised for the morbidly and severely obese who are committed to making life-long changes in their diet and physical activity levels.
A New Life
If you are ready for a new life, gastric bypass surgery can help you. One of the biggest changes is adopting a gastric bypass diet, but there are other aspects too. Your new life will include: nutritional counseling to help you learn how to eat the right foods for proper nutrition and weight control; psychological counseling to deal with emotional aspects that have contributed to your eating habits and obesity; exercise regimen to protect muscle tissue and promote weight loss; protein and vitamin supplements as needed to remain healthy; and regular medical check-ups and tests to ensure good health.
Gastric bypass surgery has helped many morbidly obese people achieve significant and long-lasting weight loss. If you think that this may be the right choice for you, it is important for you to first consider all your weight loss surgery options, understand the procedures, the changes to your body, what's involved in follow-up care, and what lifestyle changes you must make. If you are committed and motivated to change, you will succeed in your weight loss goals and have a new life to enjoy.
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