Laparoscopic Surgery in Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure which involves reducing the size of the stomach to enable the person to eat less thereby shedding extra weight faster. A surgeon may be able to carry out this surgical procedure in several different ways. These choices are usually dependent on the patient's individual needs, the risks involved and the patient's overall welfare. The doctor's surgical skills and abilities as well as personal preferences may play a role in choosing the best method too. From any viewpoint though, gastric bypass is still a major life changing surgery and as such it does have its own associated risks. Hence, proper and careful assessment of the type of surgery to employ is of utmost importance.


One of these methods is laparoscopic surgery, which is considered to be one of the most beneficial forms of bariatric gastric bypass. It is predicted that more people will be opting for this type more than others as years go by. The benefits of this method actually serve as the main reason why gastric surgery is being considered by a lot of people nowadays as a means of losing weight faster.

Why Is Laparoscopic Surgery Beneficial?

So, what is so special about laparoscopic surgery and why is it considered so highly beneficial? First of all, in laparoscopic surgery the incision made on the patient is much smaller in size than that in regular surgery. In this type of surgery, the surgeon makes several small incision sites on the patient's abdomen rather than creating a large one. The doctor then uses these sites, known as ports, to operate on the right area. By the use of a video camera set in one port, he can visualize the ongoing procedure on a monitor better rather than on the actual happening. Some ports may also be set up to serve as open insertion sites for various surgical tools which may be required to finish the operation. Because of the smaller incisions and decreased tissue damage, the healing period is relatively shortened.

The other benefits this method offers include those directly affecting the patient significantly. His or her hospital stay is most likely shortened. The degree of pain and discomfort the patient is expected to suffer is also lesser; and his overall recovery period is shorter in this method. The risk of infection is also highly reduced keeping the general risks of gastric bypass to a minimum. Furthermore, in laparoscopic surgery, both internal and external scarring experienced by the patient can be expected to be minimal.

Laparoscopic surgery may be one of the most advanced and complicated types of surgical operation a doctor can perform, but who are highly skilled at it may not find it too difficult to do on their patients.

The Risks Associated With Gastric Bypass Surgery

It is of paramount importance that a thorough knowledge of the risks associated with gastric bypass be included in your education of this surgical procedure. Just like in any kind of operation, sometimes things can get out of hand. You can be sure though that a good surgeon will do his best to keep these risks to a minimum as much as possible. These risks will still be there even if you are qualified for this surgery, though they should be lessened in your case.


The following complications can occur to those who have undergone gastric bypass surgery.

Death

The risk of fatality is around 0.5% in several cases. In most occasions though, this risk is relative to the patients' pre existing health conditions rather than the gastric bypass per se. Individuals with underlying cardiac diseases tend to have a higher fatality risk since their hearts have already been stressed for quite some time. During screening, most doctors will perform a complete cardiac work up to assess the ability of the heart to handle this kind of surgery. Furthermore, other health conditions that might heighten the risk of death include diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, and problems associated with pulmonary embolism.

Infectious Disease

Infection risk is always present with all types of surgical operation. There are many ways a postoperative patient can be infected. The incision sites are the ones usually affected as they are very prone to infection. The risk can be magnified if bacteria from the bowel gain entrance to the operative site. This may even lead to infection of other organs such as the kidneys, bladder, or the lungs causing pneumonia. As a way of preventing these problems, antibiotics will most likely be prescribed for you by your doctor after the surgery.

Bleeding

Hemorrhage or bleeding is another serious complication of gastric bypass surgery. As there are many blood vessels which get cut during the operation, the risk of excessive bleeding is always present. The doctor will order for a blood transfusion when this occurs.

Obstruction of the Large Intestine

This results when a certain degree of scarring occurs in the bowel, as in a few occasional cases. This may also be one of the causes why you end up having a hernia. In certain cases, another surgery may be required to treat this condition.

As with any type of surgery, gastric bypass operation comes with various complications and risks. However, these are usually due to your underlying health conditions. Anyway, you will be guided by your doctor who will conscientiously work with you to lower these risks should you qualify for gastric bypass. And these complications, particularly death, are usually decreased in most cases.

The Physiological Effects of Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass is a surgical operation that can bring about significant weight loss. Basically this procedure involves splitting the stomach into two parts, with the upper portion being smaller to accommodate a meal. In this operation, the stomach is significantly reduced so that it enables the individual to consume only small portions of food at a given time. Eventually he will start losing weight just because his calorie intake each time he eats is relatively lower due to his smaller-sized stomach.


There are several ways to go about gastric bypass, but they all work to produce the same end - results. The purpose of this surgical operation is to shrink your stomach by at least 90%. Normally a human stomach can stretch to up its maximum capacity which is almost 1000 ml. But after gastric bypass the stomach can only handle around 15 ml instead.

The stomach is composed of muscles that can readily stretch. It stretches to accommodate the amount of food that you eat. Hence, the size of your stomach slowly increases as you consume more food each time you eat. Relatively more food is needed to completely fill your enlarging stomach. On this same premise, your stomach adapts to less food intake over a period by shrinking to a size that gets full faster.

Gastric surgery actually does the size reduction of the stomach for people who might be able to do it easily. Usually it is the least stretchable part of the stomach that is allowed to hold food consumption from then on. Your stomach can then be unable to stretch to the point that lets you take in more food than you actually need.

Usually, with just a few munches the body triggers the brain to send a signal that full sensation is achieved. However, many people tend to ignore this signaling trigger and continue eating instead. This problem is common among many overweight individuals. But once you have had a gastric bypass, and you go on eating beyond your stomach's capacity, you will most likely end up with stomach discomfort and even vomiting. It will be an instant lesson learned by your body that you need to limit your food intake relatively to your shrunk stomach.

The process may sound simple but there are several risks associated with gastric bypass. Yet in the end, its benefit in terms of weight reduction through a significantly reduced stomach is remarkable.

Do I Qualify for a Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is increasingly becoming a more common choice for many people. However, you must bear in mind that the decision to have it done is a choice that you need to make for yourself as it is you and your body that are ultimately affected by it.


A lot of surgeons now perform this kind of life saving operation daily. However, the need to know if you really are a candidate for this surgery is of paramount importance as there are several risks involved in having it done. Because of these risks, surgeons generally provide some criteria on who can have this type of surgical procedure as a weight loss method.

Morbid obesity

Most obese persons do not have any idea how morbid their conditions are. Only critically obese people qualify for bariatric gastric bypass surgery which is aimed at radical weight reduction. Yet, before convincing yourself that you are a candidate for this procedure or not, you ought to know the following basic qualifiers that are employed to meet these criteria.

In several cases, particularly for the purposes of insurance claims, your weight must be 100 pounds over your ideal weight. This can be a little misleading though, as ideal weight varies from one person to another. This requirement is seldom used as a determining factor in one's chances of having a successful gastric bypass.

Your body mass index should be 40 or higher. This body index is an indication of the amount of body fat you have on your body. Of course the greater the number, the more indicative it is of how morbidly obese you are. Ways to calculate body mass index abound in the internet, but you should seek the ones that are provided by your doctor or other weight loss specialists.

Even if your body mass index is at 35 but you have health conditions that are quite related to your massive weight, the doctor can also recommend you to be a perfect candidate for gastric bypass.

But, There Is More

Undergoing gastric bypass surgery though, has more to it than just your weight. It entails subjecting your body to several tests to determine your qualification. Among the most essential tests you need to go through is a psychological evaluation. If you have an underlying emotional eating problem, this problem will not be cured by having this surgery alone. Actually, if after the operation you go on with your poor eating habits due to some emotional problem, you can even have more weight gained than lost. Hence, it is advisable to have any emotional or psychological problems assessed beforehand as part of the initial screening process.

The associated risks of gastric bypass underscore the need to lay these basic standards. Just like in other types of major operation, the risk-benefit ratio should be carefully determined.

Changes Resulting From Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are significant changes that can come about after gastric bypass surgery and it is critical that you know what the odds are if you are seriously thinking about going through with it. These changes are usually dependent on individual differences; how the body reacts to or goes through any procedure varies from one person to another. This is primarily the reason why you ought to be thoroughly informed about gastric bypass and how it works. If you know how to maximize its effect, you can lose more weight faster. Otherwise, you can end up losing weight very slowly or worse still, can even hold on to your present weight.


How It Works

In gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon actually reduces the size of your stomach. This organ is quite flexible, stretching readily to accommodate the amount of food you consume. As a result, it enables you to eat more and thus gain weight. After having gastric bypass surgery, your shrunk stomach can only hold small portions of food at a time, so you begin losing weight. Your stomach is not removed by this surgical operation, but splits it into two letting you to feel fuller faster with just a small amount of food intake.

Immediately after the surgery you will pass through a certain period on just a liquid diet. This is to allow your stomach to undergo healing process before it is given sold food again. In most people this period may last for about a week, in some it is shorter and in others may be even longer. Gradually you get to eat more and more solid foods and eventually you will be able to go back to regular foods again. But you will come to see that your food intake is lower than what you were used to before undergoing the gastric bypass.

Furthermore, you will realize that there is a need for you to eat more frequently during the day, though your intake is remarkably small each time you eat. You may have a piece of fruit which may be followed after a while with a few slices of bread. Most probably you will not be able to sit down for a meal with 8 courses or so. However, eating a healthy balanced diet is of paramount importance. Basically unhealthy foods including those with high trans fat content are not good for you, as your body will not be getting enough proper nutrients to strengthen its muscles. Bear in mind that your food consumption will be significantly less so you need to give your body its daily requirements to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Gastric bypass surgery definitely alters your life. Some individuals can lose about 60-80% of their extra weight by strictly adhering to the lifestyle resulting from this operation. Even if it is a seemingly difficult and demanding process, rewards are usually achieved.

The Post Gastric Bypass Lifestyle

After undergoing gastric bypass, you do not lose weight and feel good instantly. The healing process is a time consuming process wherein you can encounter various obstacles along the way. Psychologically related problems rather than physical ones are usually encountered by people who have had a gastric bypass. Different risks though may be present at both ends, so the goal should be to maximize the benefits while keeping the problems to a minimum. To achieve that, it is advisable that you have a complete understanding of the lifestyle you are expected to lead after the bypass.


The most difficult time after having a gastric bypass done normally includes the first few months. It is in part due to the fact that while the body is undergoing the healing process at this point, it is also going through a lot of physical changes. Your body is adapting to decreased food intake, stored fat breakdown and even to its changing shape and form.

Post gastric bypass individuals commonly experience the following:

Emotional eating problems which may need professional help to resolve. Affected people are unable to eat whatever and whenever they want to because of the mixed and negative emotions they need to overcome after the surgery.

Increased levels of anxiety and depression as these individuals fight inner problems of self image.

Evident display of negative emotions and behavior as these people are physically limited during the first few months when the weight loss is starting to happen.

Decreased energy levels immediately after gastric bypass as a direct result of the surgery itself.

Emotional turmoil can be seen for up to three months after having the surgery.

Skeletal muscle weakness due to limited protein intake. Muscle breakdown can occur if the individual does not adhere strictly to his prescribed diet form the start.

General body weakness and fatigue for the first few weeks as the body adapts to decreased calorie intake.

However, these people should be made to realize that these post surgery problems are not permanent. Emotionally disturbed individuals though may need more coaching and professional counseling. But eventually the person can heal both physically and mentally and be able to achieve the rewards of gastric bypass and weight loss. Some people start to lose weight within just a few days after undergoing gastric bypass. It is even reported that some people can shed at least 100 pounds during the first year post surgery. You ought to seek your doctor's advice to help you explore your goals and find out how gastric bypass can help you meet your specific needs.

A Closer Look at Gastric Bypass

You may have heard about gastric bypass a lot of times. Quite a number of people, celebrities included, swear that this is an effective method to lose weight. However, you must weigh carefully the risks and benefits associated with this procedure before convincing yourself that it is the best for you as well. Even though gastric bypass has been successful in controlling weight in a lot of individuals, it is primarily to treat those whose obesity is considered morbid.


As there are serious risks associated with this type of operation, gastric bypass is only recommended when these procedural risks are lesser in comparison to the risks of the health conditions the person is experiencing due to his weight. You should only consider this type of surgery for weight reduction when you have health problems that are caused or aggravated by your excessive weight. Some of these conditions that can be worsened by obesity include diabetes and hypertension. By shedding the extra weight carried by your body through gastric bypass or any other weight reducing methods, your body can be better equipped to reverse or slow down the course of such health problems.

Gastric Bypass as a Life Saving Procedure

From the premise above, it can then be said that gastric bypass is more of a life-saving surgical procedure than an appearance-enhancing one. A lot of people believe that all weight reduction methods are extremely difficult and provide little reward that is instant and permanent. Losing a few pounds is hard enough, so what more if you need to shed a massive bulk? That is the type of weight candidates for gastric bypass need to lose. This procedure can enable your body to lose more weight quickly just because you can no longer consume the amount of food you were used to prior to the surgery.

How is it possible? By splitting the stomach into two portions and ensuring the top less stretchable part is smaller, gastric bypass effectively cuts your food consumption remarkably. The individual feels full faster as the size of his stomach is significantly reduced enabling him to eat very small meals. Pos-bypass individuals generally tend to eat more meals more often but each meal will be remarkably smaller.

Through the help of gastric surgery, obese people can lose weight rather significantly. These persons may have failed reducing their weight through any other method, or not as rapidly at any rate.