Gastric bypass surgery is done to reduce the calories patient takes. That makes the patient lose weight. The stomach is disconnected on the top part and made a small porch first. Then, a loop of the small intestine is brought up and connected to this porch. The GI (gastrointestinal) tract is rerouted. It is known that surgeons bypass about 95% of the stomach in this procedure.

In terms of weight loss, gastric bypass is said to be more effective than other types of weight loss surgeries. Rerouting the GI tract causes hormonal changes and fast weight loss. 

In this article, we mention the benefits of gastric bypass first. Some other subtitles of the main title such as the procedures of gastric bypass, the process of gastric bypass and the long-term effects of gastric bypass are also can be read in this article.

There are different types of bariatric surgery procedures and types of gastric bypass. For instance, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is suitable if your body mass index (BMI) is 40 or more.

Having bariatric surgery may be a life-changing decision if you think about its many benefits.

One of the most preferred bariatric surgeries is gastric bypass surgery and it has several benefits. The benefits of gastric bypass surgery can be explained below:

• The reduction of the risk of venous thromboembolic disease 
• The risk of hyperlipidemia, high blood cholesterol, and triglycerides, is reduced 
• Gastroesophageal reflux disorder may be relieved if you have a gastric bypass
• Some problems related to being overweight such as knee damage, lower back pain, and joint pain are reduced
• The risk of type-2 diabetes is reduced
• Complications like sleep apnea and disrupted sleep are solved
• Reduction of obesity-related diseases such as heart attack and hypertension

If you are considering gastric bypass surgery, find a certified medical center and visit a surgeon to learn more.

Gastric bypass surgery, also known as “Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure” “Bariatric bypass surgery” or “Stomach bypass surgery” is one of the most common weight-loss surgeries in many countries today. A usual gastric bypass surgery takes about 1.5 hours. The patients are under general anesthesia during the procedure. The patient stays at the hospital for 2 or 3 nights. The recovery period is two weeks.

The main steps that are performed in a gastric bypass surgery by the surgeon can be lined up as below:

• The surgeon assesses the abdomen and creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach first
• He or she cuts the small intestine and attaches it to the pouch. Food starts moving now, from the new stomach pouch to the middle part of the small intestine.
• Attaches the upper part of the small intestine to the middle part
• Closes the incisions using staples or stitches.

You start preparing for a gastric bypass surgeon with a physical activity program given by your surgeon. You may have restrictions on eating food, drinking, and medication. If you smoke, you are asked to stop smoking by your surgeon as well. A gastric bypass surgery must be done at a hospital by a medical expert. You should visit the medical center where you will have gastric bypass surgery several times before the surgery. Talk to your surgeon about every detail on your mind related to the surgery, before and after the surgery as well.

After a successful gastric bypass surgery, and staying at the hospital for a while you can go back home for the recovery period. There are common side effects of gastric bypass surgery and you will be informed about them. Your surgeon will recommend some vitamins and minerals including iron, calcium, and B-12. During six or seven months after the surgery, you should frequently visit the surgeon. The surgeon monitors your health during that time.

As we mention above, gastric bypass patients take vitamin and mineral supplements as the gastric bypass surgery reduces the body’s ability to absorb nutrients. That may cause anemia and some other problems for the patient. The patients may suffer from low blood sugar after the surgery. That’s why you should not skip meals in the recovery period of gastric bypass surgery.

After a year of the surgery some patients, about 1-2%,  may experience abdominal colic due to the development of an internal hernia.

Rapid weight loss after gastric bypass can cause some problems for the patient:

Increases the risk of developing gallstones

You may experience temporary hair thinning for six months

Loose skin occurs on the tummy, at the tops of the arms and thighs, or over the breasts in most patients

In addition, psychological distress may be seen in some cases, as the relationship with food changes

It is important that your goal is long-term weight loss and do not think in the short term.