Gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery to help people who suffer from morbid obesity lose weight. If you are thinking about getting a gastric bypass, it is important to keep in mind that the surgery comes with its own benefits and risks. Therefore, it is very important to discuss it with your doctor and medical team to determine if a gastric bypass is really the right procedure for you.
The benefits of gastric bypass
- Greater overall weight loss – Since you will have tighter dietary restrictions as well as less caloric absorption following your gastric bypass surgery, the overall weight loss is greater than any other type of weight loss procedure. You can expect to lose more than 100 pounds (45.36 kilograms) of your excess weight within a year of your surgery.
- Faster initial weight loss – Besides greater overall weight loss, the initial weight loss of gastric bypass is also a lot faster than other types of weight loss procedures. During the first six months post-surgery, you can expect to lose 30% to 40% of your excess body weight.
- Healthier food choices – Following a gastric bypass, eating processed sugars, fat, and carbs may cause discomfort to your body. This will make it easier for you to choose healthier food and stay away from the types of food.
- Alleviate obesity-related health problems – Approximately 96% of health problems related to morbid obesity can be resolved very quickly with a gastric bypass. In addition, your risk of developing obesity-related health problems is significantly reduced.
The risks of gastric bypass
- Permanent change of anatomy – Gastric bypass surgery involves altering your anatomy by dividing your stomach into two parts: a very small pouch and a large ‘remnant’ of the stomach. Food will enter the small pouch instead of the larger part of the stomach. The pouch cannot hold a lot of food and your surgeon connects it directly to your small intestine, thus, the food you eat bypasses most of your stomach and goes straight from the pouch to the small intestine. This change of anatomy is irreversible, meaning it is permanent.
- Restricts your dietary choices forever – This can be both a benefit and a disadvantage. However, you need to keep in mind that you will have a lot of dietary restrictions after the procedure. You need to be willing to commit to following a healthy, well-balanced diet and stay away from unhealthy food for the rest of your life.
- Dumping syndrome – Many people with gastric bypass experience dumping syndrome from eating foods high in calories, sugar, and fat. The syndrome causes discomfort, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and overall weakness every time you eat these foods.
Now that you are aware of some of the top benefits and risks of gastric bypass surgery, your next step should be consulting with an experienced surgeon. Visit MyMediTravel now to find a qualified surgeon that will ensure you will get all the benefits of a gastric bypass.