3 FAQ About Gastric Bypass Surgery
If you have tried to lose weight, but diets and exercise have been unsuccessful, you may want to consider weight loss surgery. If you proceed down this path, you will soon realize there are various kinds of weight loss surgeries. Some of the most common ones include adjustable gastric banding, sleeve gastrectomy, and vagal blockade. Another popular type of weight loss surgery is the gastric bypass procedure.
If you would like to know more, here are the answers to three frequently asked questions about gastric bypass surgery.
1. Who Qualifies for Gastric Bypass Surgery?
You may not qualify for gastric bypass surgery if you only have a little bit of weight to lose. Most people who get gastric bypass surgery have a high body mass index (BMI) or they are considered obese. In most cases, only adults who have a BMI of at least 40 qualify for any type of weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass.
However, you might qualify for gastric bypass surgery if you have an obesity-related medical condition, such as Type 2 diabetes. You will have an even better chance of qualifying for gastric bypass surgery if you are motivated to lose weight, you don't abuse drugs or alcohol, and you are not at risk for committing suicide.
2. How Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Performed?
During gastric bypass surgery, a bariatric surgeon makes certain changes to your stomach and small intestine that restrict the amount of food it can hold. The procedure also causes your gut hormones to change, which helps to suppress your appetite and enables you to feel full for longer periods of time.
All of these changes reduce the number of calories you consume, which is how you lose weight. Most people who undergo this type of weight loss surgery lose weight quickly after the procedure, are able to retain excess weight loss, and resolve obesity-related medical conditions.
3. How Long Is Recovery Following Gastric Bypass Surgery?
The good news about gastric bypass surgery is that it is minimally invasive. This means that a long hospital stay is not necessary and the recovery times are much quicker than with more invasive procedures. It will also take less time to get back to normal activities.
Despite all these benefits, there are some negative side effects to be aware of. Some of these negative side effects include constipation, dumping syndrome, gallstones, and difficulty absorbing certain nutrients. Following gastric bypass surgery, only clear liquids can be consumed. Eventually, patients can eat pureed foods, soft foods, and then solid foods.