Gastric bypass surgery falls under both the restrictive and malabsorptive categories of weight loss surgery. During the gastric bypass procedure, the surgeon first restricts the size of the stomach by creating a pouch with staples or sutures. Then the pouch is routed past the upper section of the small intestine and straight to the middle section, known as the jejunum.  The procedure can be done open or laparoscopically.

The smaller size of the new stomach, combined with the bypass of the section of small intestine where food is chiefly absorbed, work together to enable you to both eat less and absorb fewer calories. Typically, this type of surgery requires the most lifestyle changes, including avoiding simple sugars, chewing your food to liquid, taking vitamins regularly and not drinking within 30 minutes of a meal. You’ll get a notebook with food guidelines after your surgery to take home and use as a reference.

Gastric bypass surgery has the best long-term track record of any bariatric surgery procedure, and is also the most popular form of weight loss surgery: The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery accounts for 80 percent of all weight loss surgeries. Initial weight loss tends to be much faster after a gastric bypass than with the Lap-Band, and long-term studies show that patients who undergo laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery lose 69 percent to 82 percent of their excess weight in one to four years.

Of course, the procedure is not without its risks. The most common side effects are minor, including digestive problems, such as “dumping syndrome”, infection, hernias, ulcers or bleeding.  Because gastric bypass surgery restricts the body’s ability to absorb vitamins and nutrients, as well as calories, it is imperative that you follow your doctor’s post-operative guidelines and take the appropriate nutritional supplements to avoid serious health conditions, such as anemia and bariatric beri beri.

If you are considering gastric bypass surgery in Decatur, TX, call Obesity Health Solutions toll-free at 866-980-8598. Our team of bariatric care specialists will be happy to answer all of your questions, and help you find the treatment option best suited to your specific needs.