Information about Gastric Bypass Surgery

Bariatric Surgery is a specialty used to help patients neutralize obesity, allowing them to regain their quality of life and health. Advances in these types of surgeries allow patients to lose weight gradually, eating less and decreasing their appetite. The development of minimally invasive techniques allows the surgery to be performed through small incisions, with less pain and increased postoperative comfort.

In general, bariatric surgeries are based on reducing the size of the stomach in order to restrict the amount of food we can eat, or alter the digestive tract so that the body absorbs from it less calories than usual.

The gastric bypass is the most frequently performed surgery. This method combines the two ways described to help patients lose weight, even though the main purpose of gastric bypass surgery is to reduce the volume of the stomach.

In normal stomachs, food is subjected to the action of gastric juices and then passes to the intestine, where it is also mixed with bile and digestive juices. Through the gastric bypass, this part of the process is avoided, generating a new food circulation.

By means of a suture line, the stomach is divided into two parts, leaving a small upper bag created, which receives the ingested food and occupies only 10% of the stomach capacity.

The small intestine is intersected at 60 cm of the stomach exit and it is connected with the small and recently created upper bag, so that food passes directly to the intestine without being processed by the gastric juices that are in the large lower bag.

The intestine portion that remains connected to the stomach exit by one of its extremes is reconnected by its other extreme to the intact part of the intestine, approximately a meter ahead. In this way, gastric juices from the big stomach bag will meet the bile and the food to continue the digestive process.

This technique is precisely based on reducing the stomach capacity with a small malabsorptive effect over carbohydrates and fat.

Technique: Minimally invasive, video assisted laparoscopic procedure.
Length: Depending on the procedure and state of the patient.
Anesthesia: General Anesthesia.
Hospitalization: from 3 to 4 days.

After the surgery

In the recovery room, you can expect to have some discomfort and feel the effects of the surgery (this can last for several days). Some medicine for this may be prescribed to help control pain. Or infusion pump may be used which provides a local anesthetic directly to the surgical site to control pain without the side effects of narcotics.

The changes made to your gastrointestinal tract will require permanent changes in your eating habits that must be followed for successful weight loss. What is vital is that you follow the physician guidelines’. The following are some of the usually accepted dietary guidelines:

* When you start the consumption of solid food, chew your food thoroughly and eat very slowly. It is important to wait a few minutes after swallowing before putting the next bite of food in your mouth.
* Don't drink fluids while eating. They will make you feel full before you have eaten enough food.
* Don’t eat desserts and other items with sugar if they have more than 3 to 5 grams per serving size.
* Avoid carbonated drinks, high-calorie nutritional supplements, foods high in fat, milk shakes, and foods that have no nutritional value.
* Avoid alcohol.
* Reduce snacking between meals.

Returning to Normal Routine

After the surgery, the surgeon requires you to get up and move around. You are asked to walk or stand at the bedside the night of surgery and take several walks the next day. After leaving the hospital, you may be able to concern on all your personal needs, but you will need help with shopping and lifting, and with transportation.

Drive is an activity that usually takes from 7 to 14 days to resume, as is not appropriate while under medications.

Depending on your physical condition, the nature of the activity, and the type of bariatric surgery you had, the surgeon suggests you the rhythm of returning to routine. Many patients return to normal levels of activity within six weeks of surgery.
It is strongly advised that women of childbearing age use the most effective forms of birth control during the first 16 to 24 months after bariatric surgery.

Reconstructive Plastic Surgery

If you have lost more than 100 pounds you also face another challenge  excess of skin. You might notice this on the face, upper arms, chest and abdomen. Skin folds under the arms, breasts, abdomen and legs can cause rasping and  bacterial and yeast infections.

Reconstructive surgery is indicated in this case. Reconstructive surgery can help give a more self-confident image. This results in better fitting clothing. Reconstructive surgery to improve your look should be delayed until your weight loss has stabilized for at least one year.

Last Update: 10/08/2009
Note: This information is directed to support and not to replace your doctor opinion.