What you need to know about gastric bypass

By Staff
Numerous celebrities, from talk show hosts to rock stars to football coaches, have had it done. Whether to boost appearance or to correct a serious health problem, gastric bypass surgery is popular among the famous and the not-so-famous. But is it really necessary, or is it just a way for those with the financial means to circumvent the diet and exercise approach to losing weight and go the surgical route instead?
Skeptics of gastric bypass surgery will say it's an end-run around a harder way of losing weight. Some believe it's a shortcut for people who genuinely need to take the long route of diet and exercise, an option that will help them develop healthier habits they sorely need as opposed to solving their weight problems with a quick cut and stitch. However, before passing judgement, it's best to gain a more accurate perspective on gastric bypass surgery and whether it's the right course to take.
What is Gastric Bypass?
The most common gastric bypass surgery is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, wherein the stomach is actually made smaller and food is allowed to bypass some of the small intestine, where nutrients and calories are stored. A smaller stomach will make a person feel full more quickly. When coupled with the bypassing of the small intestine, people are not only now eating less, but storing fewer calories as well, leading to weight loss.
In Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, a small pouch is actually created at the top of the stomach through the use of surgical staples or a plastic band. This pouch is connected directly to the middle of the small intestine, allowing the rest of the small intestine to be bypassed.
Why Get Gastric Bypass?
This is a topic of much debate, particularly in recent years, when many teenagers have opted for the surgery. Some, as previously mentioned, are of the opinion the surgery is a shortcut to weight loss. However, according to online medical resource WebMD (www.webmd.com), there are several conditions where doctors deem the surgery a necessity.
Other factors doctors consider before suggesting the surgery include past history with alcohol and whether or not a patient has ever suffered from depression or another psychiatric disorder. Gastric bypass is not recommended for anyone who has a history of alcohol abuse or mental disorder.
What Are the Risks Involved?
Like any other surgery, risks are involved with gastric bypass. Since the connection between the stomach and intestines has narrowed, patients can experience vomit and nausea after eating, though that is not a universal side effect and tends to only afflict a minority of patients. Where vomiting and nausea are bound to happen is in patients who continue to eat highly refined, high-calorie foods, including sweets. Because many gastric bypass patients have poor dietary histories, this is a genuine risk. In addition, ulcers can develop as a result of the surgery.
More common is developing a deficiency in iron and vitamin B12, which occurs in about 30 percent of gastric bypass patients. As the small intestine is largely bypassed, minerals and vitamins are not stored, which can lead to the aforementioned deficiencies as well as a possible calcium or magnesium deficiency. Of those who develop iron deficiency, 50 percent develop anemia, a blood disease that can result in paleness and feelings of fatigue.
To combat this and keep it under control, doctors often recommend gastric bypass patients work with a dietician to plan meals.
Another risk to consider involves what patients won't be able to have. A common procedure for early detection of gastric cancer is endoscopy, wherein a visual examination using an endoscope is conducted. The endoscope is passed through a patient's mouth, down the esophagus and into the stomach and small intestines. Thanks to the nature of gastric bypass, however, this procedure is out of the question, making gastric bypass all the more risky.
While gastric bypass surgery will continue to have both its supporters and detractors, for those seriously considering the surgery it's important to understand it is not a quick fix. Rather, like the alternatives available, gastric bypass requires a lifestyle change.