Gastric Bypass surgery
makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the
small
intestine.
You will feel
full more quickly than when your stomach was its original size,
which reduces the amount of food you eat and thus calories consumed.
Bypassing
part of the intestine results in fewer calories being absorbed.
This leads to weight loss.
Most people who have open gastric
bypass surgery quickly begin to
lose weight and continue to lose weight for up to 12 months. One
study noted that people lost about one-third of their excess weight
(the weight above what is considered healthy) in 1 to 4 years.1 Some
of the lost weight may be regained.
The laparoscopic approach showed similar results, with 69% to 82%
of excess weight lost over 12 to 54 months.2 At this time, the laparoscopic
approach for gastric bypass has not been used long enough to draw
significant conclusions about how well it works.
Purpose
of Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is rarely used to treat obesity. Many health
professionals will consider it only for people who have not been
able to lose weight with other treatments and who are at high risk
for developing other health problems because of their weight.
Although guidelines vary, surgery is generally considered when
your body mass index is 40 or higher or you have a life-threatening
or disabling condition related to your weight.
The following conditions may also be required, or are at least
considered:
Have been obese for
at least 5 years
Not have a history
of alcohol abuse
Not have depression
or another major psychiatric disorder
Be between 18 and
65 years of age
All surgeries have
risk, and it is important for you and your health professional
to discuss your treatment options to decide what is best for
your situation.