Gastric Bypass Surgery- The Benefits

In the majority of people, the benefits received from gastric bypass surgery outweigh the risks of the procedure. About 75% of people that undergo the surgery are expected to lose between 75% and 80% of extra weight. As much as 80% of those with high blood pressure that have gastric bypass surgery can be off their medications, and those with type II Diabetes that aren’t dependent on insulin can be off their medication as well.

Some other ailments that are improved a great deal or cured are sleep apnea, arthritis, joint pain, breath shortness, asthma, reflux, and fatigue. In addition, those that have gastric bypass surgery feel much better about themselves overall.

Some other benefits to those who undergo gastric bypass surgery are lowered risks for heart disease, cancers, and pulmonary diseases. When people are morbidly obese, their life span can be reduced by
20%. People who have gastric bypass surgery have much greater self esteem and have better outlooks on life.

Gastric bypass surgery is done by reducing the part of the stomach that is functional, making it only as big as a pouch, and by making a small opening between the stomach and the intestine.

After the surgery, people who eat only a very small amount feel full, and the opening in the stomach to the intestines slows the rate at which the stomach empties itself after eating, letting the fullness feeling last longer. Since less food is absorbed by the intestines and used by the body, weight loss occurs.

Right after the gastric bypass surgery, patients will be on a liquid diet for the first few days. They will then move on to a pureed diet. One of the major concerns during this time is dehydration. Patients need to take in about 32 ounces of liquid before they will be able to leave the surgery center.

About a month after the gastric bypass surgery, patients can then start to eat more table foods, but will need to eat pureed foods until they can tolerate foods well. Patients will have to learn how to eat better, including chewing their food carefully, drinking liquids between meals, and avoiding sweets and fatty foods, since they can cause illness.

The most weight is lost right after the surgery, as much as 20 pounds a month. This is when patients must become accustomed to eating much less and the right foods as well. The transition isn’t an easy one, but the benefits are well worth it for anyone that goes through with gastric bypass surgery to lose weight.