The Gastric Bypass is the surgical weight loss procedure performed most often in the United States and it has been studied extensively. It has about a 1% complication rate. Compared to other weight loss surgieriess Gastric Bypass is more involved and is not reversible. All surgery has risks, only you and your bariatric surgeon can decide which surgery is best for you.
The Gastric Bypass procedure can be performed laparoscopically with very small incisions made with long, thin instruments which are inserted into the abdomen. With the help of video equipment surgeons are able to reduce the size of the stomach and staple it back together to create a smaller stomach which reduces the amount of food you are able to eat. Since there is minimal cutting you should experience a must faster recovery and reduced post-operative pain. Some Bariatric Surgeons are beginning to offer the procedure through a single incision surgery. For more information on Single Incision Surgery and it's role in Bariatric Surgery, speak with TLCEdge or one of our quality surgeons.
The Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass weight loss procedure was developed in 1991 and was approved by the FDA in 1993. Given it's wide acceptance and long term studies, it has been proven to vastly improve the life of obese patients by reducing their weight permanently as well as eliminating most of the co-morbidities that often accompany obesity.
TLCEdge Surgical Weight Loss is dedicated to providing our patients access to the many of North Texas' finest weight loss (bariatric) surgeons. Your surgery, aftercare, and maintenance will be followed by a team of healthcare professionals dedicated to your positive results. TLCEdge is proud to be affiliated with the Prestonwood Surgery Center in Plano as well as several inpatient hospital partners. Should you and your doctor choose Gastric Bypass as the best option for you, your procedure will be performed at an inpatient hospital.
Many medical problems commonly associated with obesity such as hypertension, diabetes and sleep apnea, joint pain and mobility impairment are improved or, in some cases, totally eliminated after the Gastric Bypass. It is not necessary to lose all of your excess weight in order to achieve improvement with regards to many of these medical conditions. Please discuss any specific concerns with your surgeon. Because Gastric Bypass is a more complicated procedure than other weight loss procedures additional preoperative clinical exams and tests may be required. Please be sure to discuss all of your medical history with your Bariatric Surgeon and your TLCEdge Provider. Your complete medical history and co-morbid conditions are important in the insurance approval process and to your continued health and succesful weight loss.
As with most surgeries you will arrive early on the morning of surgery after following simple preparation instructions at home. The majority of procedures will be complete in less than one hour. A general anesthesia is used and a normal recovery will include drinking liquids and walking within two hours. The length of your hospital stay, usually two days, will be determined by your surgeon. As a general rule, you should plan on returning to work in one week.
Many surgeons will require one to two weeks of a liquid protein diet before weight loss surgery. This diet helps reduce the size of the liver in preparation for surgery. If your doctor prescribes such a diet, it will be very important for you to follow it. In rare cases, surgeons have had to stop surgery because it is clear that the patient did not follow the routine, and the risk of complications is too great. In addition, many insurance companies require that you participate in a documented medical weight loss program for a period of three to six months prior to approval for surgery. If you are required to meet this, TLCEdge will refer you to our Medical Weight Loss Program and will monitor your progress to create the documentation you need to get approved by insurance.
Recovery time is shortened as with any laparoscopic surgery. Depending upon how strenuous your job is you may return to work in as little as 7 days. Heavy lifting should be restricted for 4 to 6 weeks. Please discuss any specific concerns with your bariatric surgeon or TLCEdge provider.
Yes, but if you are obese, one of your goals in having the surgery will be to change your eating lifestyle. Making those changes will be easier for you after you've had surgery. The Gastric Bypass procedure does affect the pyloric valve which has been known to cause dumping syndrome which is a side effect of this surgery. Since you will be eating less, you will concentrate on eating foods that will supply your nutritional needs first and you will want to avoid high sugar foods as they are most likely to contibute to dumping syndrome. Liquids pass through the stomach easily so you will need to refrain from drinking high calorie drinks. Most Gastric Bypass patients will be prescribed a nutritional supplement to make sure that they maintain proper nutrition and muscle mass as you lose weight, but your individual experience may be different. Your surgeon and the TLCEdge team will be there throughout your recovery to help you adjust to your own requirements.
Unlike the Gastric Banding procedures, there will be no opportunity to further reduce the size of your stomach with adjustments, so if your weight loss reaches a plateau, it will most likely be because you are eating too many carbohydrates. These plateaus will be an indication that you need to refocus on eating protein.
How much you lose depends on how well you are able to use your new tool to manage eating. The Gastric Bypass is both restrictive and a malabsorptive procedure, it is a tool to help improve your health by controlling what you eat. A weight loss of 1 to 3 pounds a week in the first year after the surgery is possible. The Gastric Bypass general allows for a more rapid weight loss than other weight loss surgeries as it helps you improve or resolve health problems associated with being seriously overweight and reach your ultimate weight loss goals.
Many people experience nausea as a side effect of general anesthesia, some to a greater degree than others, if you experience this medications will be available during your recovery to manage nausea. Depending upon your surgeon's instructions, you will probably be dismissed on a liquid diet for 4 weeks following surgery and you will slowly add solid foods as you heal. Most people do not experience nausea beyond the recovery period.
Your surgeon will typically wish to follow your progress 2 to 4 weeks after surgery. After you recover fully from the surgery you will most likely return to your primary care physician for routine medical care.
Generally speaking, you should plan for at least 21 days of light activity following surgery. You may then return to normal activity. As you lose weight, you will be able to be as active as you want to be and you'll feel better! You will be encouraged to adopt an active lifestyle.
Plastic Surgery may be an option but is not required as a general rule. Most likely, plastic surgery should not be considered for at least a year after your Weight Loss Procedure as sometimes skin will mold itself around the new body tissue.
The Gastric Bypss works to control hunger in two ways. First, it creates a smaller stomach which will only hold only 1 to 4 ounces of food. Secondly, the surgery reduces the amount of the hunger hormone Ghrelin which makes you feel less hungry.
Alcohol is a high calorie liquid so moderation is advised when losing weight. However, an occasional glass of wine or other alcoholic beverage is not considered harmful and generally will not cause any problems with your bypass.
Gastric Bypass patients often require more vitamin and mineral supplements than they did before surgery. Surgeons typically recommend a calcium supplement and a multivitamin post surgery. TLCEdge care providers will be there to help you with these and our e-store offers a full line of nutritional products from Bariatric Advantage.
You should continue taking all your medications as your doctor advises. As you lose weight you may need to have your normal medications adjusted and some may be discontinued as your weight reaches a healthy goal. Please discuss this with your primary care physician.
Perhaps. The Gastric Bypass may be a better choice than the Gastric Band for patients who have GERD or esophageal problems, and reducing obesity has shown to reduce the incidence of GERD. This decision should be made in consultation with your surgeon. Most surgeons will prescribe a heartburn medication just to make sure you don't experience acid reflux during the healing process.
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