Gastric Bypass Surgery

March 27th, 2008 | by admin |

Weight Loss Surgery Information – About Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery may seem like an extreme measure, but it’s quickly becoming more widely accepted as a weight loss method.

If you are seriously overweight or obese you have most likely considered undergoing gastric bypass surgery to help you manage your weight and health. Although there are other options besides gastric bypass surgery to help you in this endeavor, this procedure appears to be frighteningly popular. Ever since celebrities such as Carney Wilson have undergone the procedure, more and more people have turned on to the idea of having gastric bypass surgery.




Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical procedure in which a portion of the stomach is closed off. The stomach is rerouted to the intestinal system and the rest of your stomach is stapled off but remains inside you. Therefore, after gastric bypass surgery food bypasses a part of the stomach. You eat less because your stomach gets fuller quicker. You eat less and consume less weight producing calories.

One thing you should know, is that gastric bypass surgery is incredibly risky and permanently alters your body. The stomach is rerouted to the intestinal system and the rest of your stomach is stapled off but remains inside you. Gastric bypass surgery reduces the amount of food the patient can take in. The food a patient takes in does not have the same opportunity to be absorbed into the system as it once did. Because of this, one of the risks associated with gastric bypass surgery is malnutrition so anyone who has undergone this procedure must keep a good eye on the quality of food they are consuming.

If the surgery also includes bypassing a part of the intestine, you can lose even more weight because the body does not absorb the food you do eat. Again, you get fewer calories.

Gastric bypass surgery usually requires a four or five day hospital stay and a person is usually fully recovered with in a month or so. There are some after effects to gastric bypass surgery. It is generally called dumping. That occurs when the food passes too quickly through the stomach. Symptoms include nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. This procedure is usually done on people that meet the following conditions if you have been obese for five years or more, you may qualify. If you do not have a history of alcohol abuse and are between 18 and 65 years old, the doctor may consider gastric bypass surgery. In addition, you must not have an untreated depression or another major psychiatric disorder.

Gastric bypass surgery does have some risks though. There are the normal risks associated with any surgery. These might include a blood clot that could lead to a stroke. A person might experience an infection. Some studies have shown that about one-third of all people having surgery for obesity develop gallstones or a nutritional deficiency condition such as anemia or osteoporosis.

The benefits of gastric bypass surgery are almost immediate weight loss. People who have gastric bypass surgery tend to continue to lose weight for the first 12 months. Long-term weight loss benefits look like this. One study found that most people lost one-third of their excess weight in one to four years after the surgery procedure. There are some other thinks to be concerned with a gastric bypass surgery. Doctors tell us that the part of the intestine where many minerals and vitamins are most easily absorbed is bypassed.

Because of this, you may have a deficiency in iron, calcium, magnesium, or vitamins. As with other elective surgery, you have to balance the weight loss benefits of gastric bypass surgery with the potential risks.


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About the Author:Are you considering Weight Loss Surgery? Learn more about it at http://medicalsurgicaladvances.com/

This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Seek the guidance of a licensed physician if you need medical advice.


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  1. 34 Responses to “Gastric Bypass Surgery”

  2. By Jack Wyant on Apr 29, 2008 | Reply

    Interested in bypass surgery, need surgery center that qualifies for Medicare

  3. By yvonne Pratt on Jun 9, 2008 | Reply

    Why do the insurance company do not want to pay for this surgery if It will help you to get off all the medicines you are taking. I need to know if there is a doctor who is doing probono surgery. Lap band of gastric bypass surgery. I have blue cross blue shield insurance.

  4. By Linda on Jul 18, 2008 | Reply

    I have sickle cell anemia which already compromises my immune system . Would gastric bypass send me into a crisis and is it safe for me?

  5. By Mary Ard on Aug 15, 2008 | Reply

    My name is Mary Ard I live in Pace, Fl.31 years old 5′9 and 165 pounds SKINNY!! WOO! HOO! If you are thinking about this surgery I WOULD THINK AGAIN!!!!!!! I had it 5 years ago and if I had to do it all over again I would NOT… If you think this is going to change your life it will and all your going to do is change one addiction in for another and that is what I did I am now what you call a recovering drug addict… I have one hell of a story I would love to share… I think anyone that is three years post-op will tell you the same… Either they have a problem with drugs, men, are its right back 2 the food…… You have to fix the inside befor the outside!!!! I am now 31 And Have a body of a 80 year old no teeth and the list goes on…. DO YOU REALLY WANT THIS!!!! All for what just for acceptance fuck what people think about you…ITS what YOU feel about yourself!!!!!!…………Mary Ard

  6. By pattie on Aug 27, 2008 | Reply

    i am in the process of doing gastric bypass surgery what are the risk of smoking????

  7. By Catherine Honeycutt on Sep 20, 2008 | Reply

    My small intestine was removed as a baby. Three days after I was born. Twisted intestine, complete removal of small intestine. I have many side affects. My body has compensated, obviously. Side affects include depression, anxiety, very little energy and muscle spasms every single day. I awake with depression every day. Since most absorption takes place in the small intestine do you have any suggestions about a good anti-depressant which may better for me than Zoloft? I also run a very low cholesterol of 80 to? 100. Does this put me at high risk for stroke?

  8. By Mary on Sep 23, 2008 | Reply

    There are many people who have gastric bypass surgery, lose their weight, don’t get ill and don’t develop other problems. I am one of those boring ones. Nobody wants to hear the truth. The surgery is easy. I lost weight quickly. I am a bit addicted to exercise, but able to control it. I love the way I look and feel and would do it again in a minute.

  9. By sharon presley on Oct 7, 2008 | Reply

    have humane insurance i wander what doctor give lapband surgery under this insurance company or gastric surgery

  10. By kathy h on Oct 20, 2008 | Reply

    Hi I am 41, I have advanced osteoarthritis in both my knees, I am a fairly good looking woman with 3 beautiful kids and a beautiful Grandson, my dilemna is I can have gastric bypass because of my knee problem I have gained alot of weight and weigh 284lbs, i have developed high blood pressure, and am now accepted for knee replacements as well, I am terrified of the bypass and would love feedback from real people who have had the surgury and what you went through, is it worth the risk?..I know I am at risk being this heavy and need to do something about it but my knees prohibit me from excessive exercise. I am terrified and please would love feedback from everyone. thank you all so much.

  11. By vivian on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply

    im 43…i had gastric bypass 4 yrs ago…i weighed 450 pounds…got down to 230 pounds…i have gained 75 pounds back…but…after only one year of my surgery…i got pregnant…was doing good until then…got hooked on pepsi…still hooked on pepsi…my mother passed away in jan.08 and i gained 30 pounds of it since then…i have a 4 yr. old daughter who also has gained 25 pounds since then…any way…yes i would do the surgery again in a minute…i’m thinking of having a surgery called revision …they go down your throat and tighten things back up…i also had a tummy tuck done and repair a hernia in 04…i would never have a tummy tuck done again…but…the dr. who done it was not a plastic surgeon…i knew that…the dr. that done my gastric bypass…also done the tuck…i had over 300 staples in the bottom of my stomach…i still have a scab right in the middle that has never healed…i had tubes in the sides of the top part of my legs to drain…they hurt all the time…but yes…i would suggest the surgery…and a tuck if it was someone quailfied…i felt good until i had the tuck…i had always said my whole life…i woulg give anything to be a little smaller…be able to wear a pair of jeans…i did this finally…even though i have gained some weight back…1′m not 450 pounds…i’ve always been heavy…i weighed 105 pounds in kindergarden…206 in 6th grade…so…there you are…my friend said to me…”you are taking the easy way out” there is nothing easy about this surgery…but…i’m pround of myself…

  12. By jodi b on Oct 22, 2008 | Reply

    Gastric bypass surgery is the best thing that I have done for myself. It involved a life style change; if i didnt have it, i would have easily ballooned to 400 pounds. I was at risk for diabetes and a stroke. I also developed osteoarthritis in my hips and both knees cause of the weight. I did it for health reasons only. Contrary to popular belief, I had good self esteem then and I have it now. I did not trade one addicition for another like most of my friends had. I encourage people to do research into it, the more you know, the better off you are. Any type of surgery is scary.

  13. By Beverly on Nov 6, 2008 | Reply

    I am 45 years old and had a gastric bypass January 30, 2007. I weighed 393 pounds at the time of surgery. As of Tuesday Nov. 4, 2008, I weigh 196 pounds. My Type 2 diabetes has been resolved, my cholesterol went from 226 to under 150. I have anemia now and excessive gas!!! Those 2 things are my only side effects. Don’t have the surgery to lose weight; if you have it, do it for your health. When you do it for your health, you learn to make healthy choices…it all about changing habits and developing a healthy lifestyle.
    When you have the surgery just to lose weight, you won’t necessarily make the changes that are necessary and thus, will begin to gain weight back and find yourself back in a bad situation (overweight). Seek plenty of counsel…from family, friends and clergy. Realize that this surgery is not an easy solution; it’s a life threatening, life altering surgery and it must not be taken lightly.
    You will be on various vitamins and supplements for the rest of your life and need to get blood work done a few times a year to be sure everything is good.
    I feel great (with the exception of the gas…which is caused when I don’t eat on time or if I eat too quickly).
    I look good (in my clothes…size 10…was a size 32)
    But…I have a lot of excessive skin on my thighs, buttocks, and arms (you know the famous flap). My insurance won’t pay to have it removed, so I have to live with it…a small price to pay for my life.
    My advice is to really consider if you are willing to do the work needed to live a healthy lifestyle for the remainder of your life. Research the surgery…risks and all and make a wise decision.

  14. By Debbie on Nov 25, 2008 | Reply

    I am a 56 year old women and I had a gastric bypass in April 2008. I have lost 75 pounds in
    8 months.I would like to loose 25 more pounds.
    If you are considering the surgery do your homework. Investigate the surgery,the doctor and the hospital. I was very lucky and chose a hospital that had a whole program dedicated to obesity and had many consults with psych,nutrition, and group meetings with other patients who have had the surgery.If you follow their directions flawlessly you should be ok,I went through about a year of consults and some weight loss on my own before my surgery. It isn’t easy there is a definite change in your entire self.You won’t look at food the same way again.I have already dropped 100 points of my
    cholesterol levels.I excercise more now because
    I’m thinner and it’s easier.I ride my bike,hike
    and I am now starting to run slowly. I feel wonderful. I’m am also starting some water exercises in the pool soon.I do have excess skin
    on my stomach.legs and arms and buttocks but
    maybe later down the road I’ll work on that.
    I’m so happy I had the surgery and recommend it
    as long as you take it seriously and follow the ddoctors directions before and after surgery you can’t go wrong. I know some people have had ssome minor setbacks after their surgery but as llong as you work closely with your doctor yyou’ll be ok.I think that’s why its very important to choose your facility and doctor carefully.Oh and by the way I had a lap by-pass
    and was in the hospital for 2 days and back to work in 2 weeks!Best of luck.

  15. By mel wyatt on Dec 30, 2008 | Reply

    hi mary ; i would love to hear your story…i have one of my own as well

  16. By Kim on Feb 4, 2009 | Reply

    Please tell me your story, I am seriously considering this. I am in the process of getting all the testing done.

    Thank you,

    Kim

  17. By Margie on Feb 14, 2009 | Reply

    you should check with the surgeon about the risks. My surgery went well and 4 months later I am 72 Lbs lighter and I weighed much more than you. I too have problems with my knees, legs and feet so for exercise I do aquatic aerobics. Good luck!

  18. By tonya on Jul 8, 2009 | Reply

    SORRY THAT HAPPENED TO U BUT EVERYONE IS NOT LIKE U IF YOU HAVE A STRONG FAITH IN GOD THEN WHAT YOUR GOING THROUGH WONT HAPPEN TO ANYBODY ELSE AND WHY WHEN SOMEONE HAS A DRUG PROBLEM WITH THE PILLS THEY WANT TO BLAME IT ON THE SURGERY AND THE TRUTH OF THE MATTER IS THAT U YOU WERE DOING DRUGS OR GETTING HIGH BEFORE YOU GOT THE GOOD SHIT AND NOW U PEOPLE WANT TO SAY IT WAS THE SURGERY NO FUCK THAT IT WASN’T THE SURGERY IT WAS YOUR WEAK MINDED ASS THAT GOT HOOKED AND MADE YOUR TEETH FALL OUT FOR NOT TAKING CARE OF YOUR BODY SO KEEP THE SHIT REAL!!!!!!!

  19. By sharon on Jul 27, 2009 | Reply

    tonya i agree. no 1 person is the same and if you are strong and believe you can make it through anything, you will! I am having the surgery in 3 weeks and I have seen the results first hand because my sister had it done 1 year ago. I cant wait to be happy and healthy again and i know its possible. To anyone looking to have the surgery it is always good to hear other people talk about it but do what is right for you. after all its your decision and your life! good luck to all

  20. By Lesa on Aug 1, 2009 | Reply

    I had the surgery done April 15, 2008. As of now, I have lost 116 pounds and feel fantastic. I did my research on the surgery and there are several classes that I had to attend before i could have it. My surgeon only does this type of surgery and breast cancer surgery so I know she knew what she was doing. I would recommend this surgery to anyone. Good Luck all and remember it is God that can get you through anything.

  21. By anita on Aug 13, 2009 | Reply

    I had the bypass surgery 7/1/09 and then complications and surgery again 7/6/09 and I’m still having difficulties eating and drinking and I wish I didn’t do this surgery.

  22. By Anonomus on Aug 16, 2009 | Reply

    I had the bypass, the Rouge and Y and that was one year 3 months ago and have also had a revision and now a reversal and now back in the hospital and benn reopened sue to abcesses and air and in more pain than imaginable. I am in Temple St Lukes in Phx Ax. I do not recommend this nor life saving, but life taking operation. I have great doctors here but the after care is substandard, poor and this hospital is not the best place to be. I pray that I make it out of here alive and can now say I know what hospital abuse is. This is not the entire staff but enough to make me miserable and move me to more pain and now depression. I have been stuck about 15-20 times. I need help and I will be writing to Medicare. All that I can say is reconsider your options and the hospital that you go to for recovery. Stay away from St Lukes in Phoenix. Its to your benefit.

  23. By margaret on Sep 10, 2009 | Reply

    this is a reply to “MARY ARD”
    you NEED to find a good support group. your are NOT the norm. you need to follow up with your surgon and a dietitian asap! I am three years out and would do it again in a heart beat!
    please find a support group or two , go, until you get a better handle on things, see your doctors!!!!!!!!!!! you need help. it’s out there for those who want it.

  24. By Marci on Oct 7, 2009 | Reply

    I had bypass surgery on Sept 1, 2009. I am 5 weeks postop and feel terrible most days. I am having bad abdominal pain – under my ribs. I am unable to drink the water required by my doc and am nauseated almost all the time. I am eating very very little and have lost only 25lbs.
    Does anybody have any ideas about the pain I’m having? Could it still be the gas they pumped into my abdomen during surgery? How long will it take to go away?

  25. By deedee on Oct 16, 2009 | Reply

    what does your dr say

  26. By Connie on Nov 4, 2009 | Reply

    I live in NE PA. I had my surgery 12/3/08. It was definately the best decision I ever made. Now I’m looking for information on getting the excess skin removed. Has anyone had this done and have any advice?

  27. By stacey on Dec 6, 2009 | Reply

    i had the gastric bypass on 8/21/09, and its been great..its been about 3 1/2 months…i have lost about 90 pounds. i feel better, i was 323 pounds. just remember that not everyone is the same. i was in a group of about 27 people and some are having problems and some are not…its all up to you and how you want things to go. just do what your Dr. says and you will be fine. i would do it all over. i had my surgery in San Diego the best place in the world……

  28. By delena wilbur on Jan 7, 2010 | Reply

    I am a 30 yr old women in mississippi, I am tying to find out if there is any help for getting weightloss surgery I have medicaid and was told they didnt help pay for cosmetic surgery, but I see it as a health factor not just to look good.

  29. By melissa on May 14, 2010 | Reply

    Im a 32 yr old and I had gastrobypass 3 mths and going on 3 wks.ago.. I have lost 77lbs. I have been told that I took the easy way out over and over again. And trust me when I say their’s nothing easy about the surgery. I struggled in the begining because I had an awfull experience right after surgery. As soon as I woke up from surgery I was throwing up blood and blood clots. I had to have a blood transfusion. But after that I was a whole new person I remember going to my first doctor visit (7 day’s after the surgery) and I was walking around with NO PAIN AT ALL… I remember another lady walking into the dr.s office with alot a pain and she had the operation 2 day’s prior to mine. I guess my message is that were not all the same. You can read my story and someone else’s story who had the same procedure but with a different experience. Im verry happy I have arthritis and my knees were a big problem and now I have not had any problems with them… I workout every morning and im still trying to get used to the new foods. But If I can do it anyone can… You just have to set your minde to it… Their’s time’s I wonder why did I do this and then I look at my children and realize not only is it for me but also so that I could be around to help my kids with their kids and so on.

  30. By Becky June 17, 2010 on Jun 17, 2010 | Reply

    Hi, I am 39 years old. I had gastric bypass on March 5, 2010, at my 3 month check-up last Thursday I had lost a total of 100 pounds. Yes there are many ups and downs in the recovery process, I am still going through them but believe me it is worth every bit of it when you can go outside with your 10 year old son and play with him. The look on his face when he sees his mom outside playing with him and was never able to because she couldnt move around because she was too big or it hurt to walk, that is golden believe that. You may get sick, some foods may not be tolerated as well as others but you have to follow the program, dont jump into this surgery without doing your homework. Please make sure that if you decide to have this surgery that you have a good support system and that the hospital that preforms it has a program that you follow. This is not the easy way out it is a total life change but a change that some of us have to make in order to better our health. Asthma hasnt bothered me, my arthritis its like I never had it, border line diabetic not anymore, I get out of the bed everyday and I can stand right up from laying down and not hurt before it would take me at least 10 minutes to climb out of bed. I am the happiest I have been in many many years and I owe that to this gastric bypass!

  31. By Cyn on Jul 19, 2010 | Reply

    I’m currently in the process of waiting for the insurance company to decide yeah or neah. I’m extremely excited to find my zipper and fluff off this fat suit. I don’t have a low self esteem, I never have and I’ve always been overweight. I’m going this for me, but I also doing this for my 6yr old daughter. This year has been an eye opener with going snow sleding, bike riding, roller skating and basic walking and realizing, I couldn’t do any of them without feeling like a weeble. I’m borderline hypertensive, diabetic, with high cholesterol. It’s just a matter of time before my heart decides, screw this ((heartattack)). So, I’m hoping to help myself before my heart decides to take I everything in its own um…muscles.

    It’s nice to read all the great outcomes and successful lives people have post-op. I know about the addictions, my husband is 12 years post-op and 460 to 140 we’ve run the gammit of food, alocohol, dip, shopping and food still is an issue. I know what could happen but you are right to say that everyone is an individual with different outcomes.

  32. By Lisa on Aug 16, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Mary,

    I’m going in for my surgery on Thursday. I’ve done all the research, all the test, 10 months of everything…Nothing but horror stories…It was so nice to finally come across someone who had something good to say. Thank you for a sigh of relief.

    Kudos to your success as well,
    Lisa

  33. By Roberta on Aug 26, 2010 | Reply

    I am scheduled for my ByPass 9-27-10 and I too, have heard nothing but horror stories…Why is it that no one hears much of the success stories… I am scared to death of having this surgery. But all the benefits I will get,NO osteoarthritis, HBP, High Cholesteraol, Triglycerides, LDL…. should all go away after weight loss. I can’t do anything with my 4&5 year old grandkids because my knees hurt so much. My 4 yr.old grandson even does things like he sees me or hears me.. he will tell his Mom, my knees hurt
    And of course, my Mother really makes me feel like a total LOSER… she tells me how disgusting I am to look at and IF I gain ONE pound back she says “I WILL KILL YOU IF YOU GAIN ANY BACK” ! You can hear the conviction in her voice too when she says that!! I have thin cotton-candy hair and when I heard there will be hair loss… I about freaked out!! PLEASE, isn’t there ANYONE out there who has a Positive success story to share????

  34. By Melissa on Sep 30, 2010 | Reply

    Hello-
    I am 38 years old. I had my surgery on June 14, 2010. 3 months and 2 weeks later I am 73 pounds lighter. I feel so awesome, it is hard to put into words. I have NOT lost any hair, my skin is doing very well, my color is good, and I have sooo much more energy then I did at 310 pounds. I am also running!! ( not the whole time ) but about 1/3 the time that I walk, which is for 40 minutes a night. So, for all of you out there, who are dwelling on the horror stories, please, please know that there are those of us who have found success. It is something to really look into and committ to the life style change. However, if you start making minor changes before your surgery, it is not such a culture shock. Not everything is going to agree with you, but that is how you find out what will work for you as an INDIVIDUAL. Everyone is different and that is important to keep in mind. There are days when you get discouraged because you think you should be losing it quicker than you are, then all of a sudden, you step on the scale and you are down another 3 pounds. I wish all of you who are contemplating the surgery to know that if you have a healthy mind and spirit before the procedure, you will be a success after the procedure. GOOD LUCK and GOD BLESS!

  35. By Debbie on Oct 12, 2010 | Reply

    Hi Roberta,
    How did your surgery go ? I had mine on 8/26 and I have good days and bad. My hair has not fallen out yet, but then I don’t eat much at all so I am concerned about my protein intake. I am really turned off on food, but i heard this passes. Anyway, being healthier is the most important thing, my blood pressure isway down and I joined a gym and faithfully work out for the first time in my life. I feel better ! Let me know how you are, it can get lonely if you don’t talk to someone who has been there.

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