Gastric Bypass Surgery For Weight Loss
The American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) estimates that a total of 196,000 bariatric bypass surgeries were carried out in 2015 alone, the highest number recorded in a period of five years. Bariatric gastric bypass surgery simply refers to surgical procedures that are carried out for the purposes of weight loss and includes gastric bypass, adjustable gastric band, sleeve gastronomy and other related procedures. Owing to the fact that 1 out of every 3 Americans is Obese, this statistic is bound to go up as more and more people discover that conventional methods of losing weight have little or no effect on their efforts to shed pounds. Bypass gastric surgery and other bariatric procedures have been shown to help patients lose an average of 64.8 pounds as opposed to the 11.9 pounds lost by those trying to shed pounds without weight loss surgery.
What is gastric bypass surgery?
Bypass stomach surgery is the most common form of bariatric surgery, accounting for over 80% of all weight loss surgery procedures. It is carried out in two stages: the first stage involves making a small pouch in the stomach, which effectively divides the stomach into a large part and a smaller one. The small pouch is then stapled to hold only about a cup of food, which helps people feel fuller quicker and thus contributes to their weight loss efforts. The second part of the stomach bypass surgery involves disconnecting the smaller pouch from the larger stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine via a process known as Roux-en-Y. As a result, food passes directly into the jejunum and bypasses the duodenum, leading to decreased absorption of food into the body and ultimately contributing to weight loss.
Who qualifies for gastric bypass surgery?
Over 24 million Americans have a BMI of over 40 while others have a BMI of 35 accompanied by obesity related complications such as diabetes, sleep apnea and high blood pressure. This makes them ideal candidates for gastric bypass surgery as BMI and health problems resulting from obesity are the criteria used to determine qualification for gastric bypass surgery.
How much does gastric bypass surgery cost?
The cost of gastric bypass surgery will vary depending on the physician you use, your resident state and a variety of other factors. However, the average cost as at the end of 2016 was estimated to be $20,000 to $25,000.
Benefits of gastric bypass surgery
Gastric bypass surgery has many health benefits to offer:
- Faster and more lasting weight loss
As mentioned earlier, statistics show that patients who have undergone a gastric bypass procedure lose an average of 64.8 pounds compared to those using non surgical means who only lost 11.4 pounds. The reduced stomach size severely limits how much a person can consume, leading to their feeling fuller for longer and facilitating quicker and more lasting weight loss. Most gastric bypass surgery patients soon find that they are unable to eat heavy foods such as carbohydrate dense, sugar laden or fatty options that lead to bloating and feeling overfull without necessarily providing adequate nutrition. Patients are also able to keep the weight off for longer (more than 6 years) and studies have shown that the chances of regaining the weight are zero to minimal.
- Improved health
Conditions like diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and high blood pressure have all been linked with being overweight and obese. The resulting weight loss from gastric bypass surgery means helps to reduce the effects of these conditions on the body and in some cases, leads to complete recovery from the same. The post op diet from gastric bypass surgery often incorporates healthier foods such as fresh produce, lean protein and whole grains which are nutrient dense and thus help build a better immune system which is better equipped to fight disease.
- Better quality of life
Weight loss from gastric bypass surgery will definitely improve your quality of life. No longer do you have to suffer from obesity related complications, scour the stores in search of clothes that fit, huff and puff from short walks or even worry about what other people think of your weight. You will also discover better ways to prepare healthy foods leading to more enjoyment of your meals. Incorporating exercise into your lifestyle after gastric bypass surgery will mean a stronger, healthier body, and feelings of wellbeing from the feel good hormones produced during exercise.
Is gastric bypass surgery for me?
Gastric bypass is definitely for you if: conventional weight loss methods have proved unsuccessful in bringing down your weight, you have a BMI of 40 and above or a BMI of 35 with related health complications, you are aware of the risks associated with this type of surgery and finally, you are committed to making the necessary lifestyle changes to lose weight and keep if off after your gastric bypass surgery.