Some Essential Facts About Gastric Bypass Surgery

By Pamela Graham


There are many surgical options that are available to help with weight problems. Gastric bypass surgery is one of the operations offered in New York City. As the name suggests, this is a procedure in which the small intestine is used to separate the stomach into two parts, a smaller upper portion and a larger lower portion. The procedure is not only carried out on people suffering from extreme obesity but also benefits those with related to it such as diabetes, hypertension, and sleep apnea.

The purpose of a small upper pouch is to limit the amount of food that can be consumed. It is important to partition the stomach completely so as to ensure the two separate portions do not reunite in the course of healing as this will render the surgery meaningless. Laparoscopy is the most common and current technique used in the operation mainly because of minimal invasion.

Complications are bound to arise either in the course of the procedure or post operatively. The complications may be specific to bariatric surgeries or may be general to all other major abdominal procedures. It is important to know what complications to expect in order to weigh the risks and mortality of the same. Laparoscopic procedures are usually more preferred since it comes with less risk compared to open operations.

Peritonitis or abscesses are complications that are likely to occur as a result of making surgical incisions in the abdomen. Observing sterile measures and diligent wound care are some of the practices that keep infections at bay. Nosocomial infections such as sepsis and pneumonia can be treated through use of antibiotics as a short term form of management.

Coagulation of blood may occur due to long hours of surgery and reduced mobility. This may be dangerous to the patients as they face the risk of venous thromboembolism. Clots formed in leg veins and sometimes the pelvis may get dislodged to organs such as the lungs. To minimize this risk, anticoagulants are given before the operation is done.

One of the most important preparations before surgery is availing blood for transfusion in case need arises. This is because uncontrollable bleeding may ensue as a result of a cut major vessel. Another complication, hernia formation, may be due to failure of surgical incisions to heal well. To minimize this, most operations are usually carried through laparoscopy. Hernias are also likely to compress and cause bowel obstruction.

This procedure has numerous benefits when done right. Not only does it result in desired weight loss, it also reduces the effects of co morbidities significantly. An example is essential hypertension which is remedied in over seventy percent of patients subjected to the operation. Requirement for drugs in the remaining thirty percent is markedly reduced. Hyperlipidemia is also corrected in up to seventy percent of individuals.

People who have had this kind of operation tend to be challenged both emotionally and physiologically. These individuals may suffer from depression because of reduced amounts of food which they are not used to. Also, they tend to lose balance and get easily fatigued due to muscle weakness as a result of low protein and energy levels. The good news is that these problems fade with time when the individual eventually gets adjusted.




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