Stomach Surgery (Gastric Bypass): Steps, Benefits, Side-Effects, Precautions & Prognosis

Gastric bypass is a type of surgical process chiefly carried out for treating a series of lifestyle conditions like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, obesity, and sleep apnea. These conditions more often than not occur concomitantly. The surgery is performed using a laparoscope (an elongated & slim tube featuring a high-resolution camera with intense light at the top) that is popped inside a slit made in the belly.

The laparoscope allows the surgeon to view the entire abdomen to restructure the small intestine to enable food to bypass the duodenum. This rearrangement leads to the body absorbing and assimilating fewer nutrients and calories, thereby enabling you to shed excess flab as well as stay fit and trim in the long run.

Steps

Stomach surgery is conducted in two distinct manners namely, open surgery and laparoscopy or laparoscopic surgery. In open surgery, the surgeon uses a scalpel for cutting open the stomach while in laparoscopy numerous small cuts are made in the abdomen. The end objective of both the types of surgery is to clearly view the digestive organs and the gastrointestinal tract and carry out the operation effectively.

The bypass surgery involves two necessary steps:
1. The surgeon makes use of staples for sectioning the stomach into two halves: a larger bottom-half and a smaller upper half. The goal is to decrease the stomach’s size-the eventually reduced the volume of the upper section (known as pouch where the swallowed food will settle) will make you consume less, thereby letting you slim down.
2. The bypass surgery is performed in the 2^nd step. The surgeon creates a notch in the pouch and links the jejunum (the initial part of the small intestine) with the opening. So, whatever you take will pass directly from the stomach’s upper pocket to the small intestine via this aperture, ultimately making you take in lesser calories.

On the whole, laparoscopy is preferred over general surgery as the former is less painful, involves shorter hospitalization and faster recuperation, and risks of infections are also lower.

Benefits

• The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (the medical term for gastric surgery) results in considerable weight loss provided you fully abide by the instructions
• A good proportion of patients can maintain the postoperative bodyweight even 15-16 years after the surgery
• Optimal use of stored or available energy
• Feeling of fullness after taking a small meal and diminished appetite

Side effects

Like any other surgical procedure, gastric bypass is not without its complications and side effects. The following complications have been observed:

• Gastrointestinal/intra-abdominal hemorrhage
• Venous thromboembolism
•  Increased risk of intra-abdominal infections like blisters and peritonitis
• Bowel obstruction
• A hernia
• Dumping of contents into the jejunum more frequently, especially when excessive foods or sugary foods are eaten
• Nutritional deficiencies (deficiency of calcium, iron, zinc, and folate as well as vitamins A, B1, and B12)

Precautions

There are certain precautions you’ll need to take once you’re released from the hospital following your surgery:

• Taking the prescribed medications on a regular basis
• Taking multivitamins, vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin B12 every day
• Taking balanced diets with limited consumption of calories
• Exercising daily for at least half an hour
• Remaining socially active
• Regular follow-up with the surgeon

Prognosis

Majority of individuals who opt for gastric surgery can lose 65% of their excess bodyweight. About 85% of those who undergo gastric bypass are successful in maintaining 50% of the excess weight they lost initially.

Concluding Remarks

Though gastric surgery is a practical solution for getting rid of inordinate bodyweight, the procedure can never be a panacea for obesity. If you wish to keep your weight under check post surgery and lead a fulfilling, healthy life, you’ll need to make lifestyle changes as well as heed dietary and exercise guidelines. To know more about stomach surgery as well as to fix an appointment with our bariatric surgeon, you can send us an email or contact us via phone.

References

1. https://bariatric.surgery.ucsf.edu/conditions–procedures/laparoscopic-gastric-bypass.aspx
2. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007199.htm
3. https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures
4. https://www.healthline.com/health/laparoscopy
5. https://obesitynewstoday.com/gastric-bypass-success-rate/
6. https://www.ucsfhealth.org/education/life_after_bariatric_surgery/
7. https://www.acefitness.org/education-and-resources/lifestyle/blog/896/after-gastric-bypass-surgery-are-there-specific-exercise-precautions-i-should-take