Gastric bypass are the last resort for many morbidly obese patients and those who are having a difficult time in loosing weight that is affecting other areas of their life, including with life threatening diseases. These operations should not be taken lightly, as they have serious lifestyle consequences, from the way one eats in their everyday lift, to maintaining a strict mode of getting the proper nutrients and protein into the body. This operation combines the creation of a small stomach pouch to restrict food intake and the construction of bypasses of the duodenum and other segments of the small intestine to restrict absorption from fatty and over saturated foods.). There are several types of gastric bypasses, and many more versions of the two main ones. They are:

• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB). This procedure is the most common gastric bypass surgery performed here in the United States. A small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach together, or through a method known as vertical banding. This is what limits how much food one can eat. Subsequently, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass through the duodenum as through the first portion of the jejunum. This effectively causes reduced caloric and nutrient absorption in the body. This procedure is done with a laparoscope (a thin telescope-like instrument for viewing inside the abdomen) in many patients. The surgery leaves just minimal scarring when performed in that manner.
• Extensive gastric bypass (biliopancreatic diversion). This procedure is a far more complicated gastric bypass surgery than the RGB. The lower portion of the patient's stomach is removed, with the small pouch remaining; it is connected directly to the last part of the small intestine, completely eliminating both the duodenum and jejunum. There are high risks for nutritional deficiencies- so the procedure is not as widely done as thought. It is reserved for very severe cases of morbid obesity, and when some have no other hope.

With gastric bypass surgery, those that cause malabsorption and restrict actual food intake are able to successfully have more weight loss than simple restriction operations, which only decrease food intake. Those that undergo this procedure are able to shed at least two- thirds of the excess poundage with a twenty four month period.

Those that undergo this procedure must remember that there are serious risks and possible complications. In the past several complications have occurred, including pouch stretching - where the stomach stretches back to its normal size over time, to it pre - surgery state. There may band erosion, where the band closes off part of the stomach, it disintegrates, leading to a pre- surgery state as well. A breakdown of the staple lines will reverse the procedure entirely. A leakage of the stomach contents into the stomach- this is especially dangerous due to the fact that the acid may eat away other organs. Nutritional deficiencies may cause health problems in the long run, since constant monitoring of vitamins and protein in the system can become tedious for some.

A problem known as "dumping syndrome," can occur. It is where the stomach contents are moved rapidly through the small intestine. Symptoms include nausea, sweating, faintness, and diarrhea after eating, as well as the inability to process sweet foods without becoming extremely weak.

The more extensive the surgery, the greater the risk is for complications and nutritional deficiencies. People that undergo these bypasses of the normal digestive tract need not only close monitoring, but also lifelong use of special foods and medications. It is a serious consideration to make in the face of a lifestyle change. Discuss with your physician if this procedure is right for you. More Facts...

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