The Benefits Of Gastric Bypass Surgery Houston Residents Will Realize

By Catherine Watson


There has been a steady increase in the number of weight-loss surgeries performed all over the world. The operations, also known as bariatric operations, are performed with the aim of reducing the stomach volume and, by extension, the surface area used for absorption. The surgeries usually become an option for morbidly obese individuals that do not respond to other interventions. There are several benefits on gastric bypass surgery Houston residents can get from the procedure.

A number if criteria are used in choosing the potential candidates to undergo this operation. Among them is the fact that one should have been on lifestyle management for a minimum of six months. Lifestyle includes both a proper diet and regular physical exercise. The ideal diet comprises less carbohydrates and more of fruits and vegetables. Exercise is considered adequate if there are thirty minute sessions of intense activity on three to five days every week.

The candidate should have a body mass index, BMI, of not less than 40. If the BMI is less than 40 then the benefits may not be fully appreciated. A number of patients may qualify even with lower values. Such include patients that are already suffering from weight-related diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea and cardiac disease or are at a risk of the same. The cut off BMI value in this case is 35.

You need to undergo a comprehensive medical checkup before undergoing the surgery. This checkup includes giving a medical history of your condition and having to undergo a physical examination. The aim of such an evaluation determine suitability of a candidate and to rule out possible risks to the operation. A number of investigations may also be necessary. Examples include liver function tests, renal function tests and a full blood count among others.

There are many techniques that can be employed when performing a gastric bypass procedure. The Roux-en-Y technique is one of the most popular. It involves a two-step procedure the first of which is the conversion of the stomach into a pouch. This pouch is capable of holding just a small amount of food unlike the original stomach. The second step is to join this pouch to the second intestinal portion (bypassing the first in the process).

The roux-en-Y technique makes it possible to perform the operation using small incisions. The result of this is that the scars resulting from the operation are quite small and the complications are also fewer. One of the complications that may be encountered is the erosion of staples and silicone bands that are used in creating the pouch. This may be seen after some years but is thankfully quite rare.

Another major complication is what is known as dumping syndrome. The syndrome is caused by food emptying rapidly through the digestive tract. Symptoms may include fainting, nausea, generalized body weakness and nausea among others. They typically set in within thirty minutes of eating and are more likely to be experienced when one eats sugary foods.

Gastric bypass operations are now common procedures in many places all over the world. This has been fueled by, among other factors, increased incidence of obesity. The surgeries have b e3come safer and effective hence more acceptable. The general advice is that one should combine the surgery with lifestyle changes so as to increase the chances of success.




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