Important Information Regarding Gastric Bypass Surgery Houston Patients Should Be Aware Of

By Carolyn Hughes


Bariatric surgeries are increasingly being performed as an option of weight loss among persons with morbid obesity. The general principle of this approach is to reduce the stomach capacity which will in turn limit the amount of food eaten, over time, there is gradual weight loss due to less deposition of excess calories. If they are considering gastric bypass surgery Houston residents need to understand a number of things.

One of the main requirements for one to undergo these types of surgeries is that they must have tried the non-surgical options. Such will include, for example dietary modification and taking part in physical exercise regularly. The procedure is suitable for persons that are at risk of weight related conditions such as hypertension, cardiac disease, cerebrovascular accidents and diabetes among others. Another requirement is that the body mass index should be 40 or more.

Make a point of seeing your doctor for evaluation. Part of this evaluation will entail giving a clinical history and undergoing a comprehensive physical examination. The findings from this examination will determine whether or not you are suitable candidate. Your doctor will advise that you stop any foods or drugs that may put you at an increased risk of bleeding. Examples include blood thinners, aspirin and nicotine.

Gastric bypass procedures are of several types. The Roux-en-Y is one of the commonest types performed all over the world. One of the reasons as to why this is the case is because it is performed using very small incisions hence the resultant scars are also quite small. Complications are also way fewer than what is seen with other techniques. There are two main steps involved in the roux-en Y procedure.

The first step involves the conversion of the stomach into a small pouch whose capacity is about one ounce of food. This is done by use of staples or a silicon band. The second step is the fashioning of a Y-shaped intestinal section. This segment is joined onto the pouch created from the stomach. The first and second parts of the intestines are skipped (bypassed) in this process.

Extensive gastric bypass or biliopancreatic diversion is the most radical of all the types. It is only done as a last resort after all other interventions have failed. The procedure itself is quite complicated and takes longer to perform. The outcomes are often unfavorable even in the hands of skilled surgeons. The lower section of the stomach is usually removed and the upper portion is connected directly to the last part of the intestines.

There are a number of complications that are associated with this type of operations. One of them is the stretching of the stomach pouch. The pouch may even regain its original size within a few years. In rare cases, the silicone band may become eroded and disintegrate. In the event that stomach acids leak into the abdomen, they may lead to damage of internal organs.

Dumping syndrome is another common complications. It occurs when there is a rapid movement of food through the stomach. The symptoms associated with this syndrome include nausea, fainting, weakness, diarrhea and sweating among others. This problem is most likely to be encountered after one eats sugary foods (about ten to thirty minutes after the meal).




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