What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Patients who have been struggling with obesity may benefit greatly from a gastric bypass surgery. This surgery can be extremely beneficial, helping patients lose at least 60 percent of their excess weight just through the surgery alone. When combined with a newly healthy diet and a good fitness routine, gastric bypass surgery can be a fabulous way to reach health goals.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric Bypass, a type of weight loss surgery, can often be done laparoscopically. Although it is considered to be a more in-depth procedure when compared to sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band surgery, most patients experience great results following surgery and a healthy recovery period in the hospital and at home. This surgery will significantly decrease the amount of food that the patient can eat at one time and will also require the individual to take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of his or her life. However, the many positives such as great weight loss and weight maintenance, decreased appetite and decreased risk of many chronic diseases far offset any of the hard parts of this surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery effectively reroutes food through the digestive tract. Instead of allowing food to pass through the esophagus into the stomach, the stomach is cut off from the initial part of the digestive tract. A small pouch is used to hold food before it passes into the small intestine. This pouch is so small that it can typically only contain one ounce at a time. After the pouch is created, the small intestine is brought up to connect to it. The stomach will then be reconnected to a lower part of the small intestine so that important digestive enzymes found in the stomach can still be used by the body.

Why Choose Gastric Bypass Surgery?

This surgery works well for a number of reasons. First, because the newly formed pouch is so small, patients can only eat limited portions, thus eliminating many unnecessary calories from their diet. Secondly, because the small intestine is slightly shorter than usual, there will be less absorption of nutrients following the surgery. Finally, hormones that indicate hunger are produced in the stomach and are no longer able to work as well once the stomach is rerouted.

If you have tried a variety of diet and weight loss plans with limited to no success and are significantly overweight, ask us if gastric bypass is right for you at New Life Surgical Associates. We can help you lose your excess weight once and for all. Afterward, you will find it far easier to eat smaller meals and exercise more. Your newly healthy lifestyle will significantly decrease your chances of developing a variety of chronic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. You will also certainly feel better about yourself overall and will feel more confident when in public. Of course, good post-operative care is important, and you will need to return for follow-up appointments because excellent compliance to care guidelines is vital to a successful surgery. Contact our office in Jacksonville, FL to schedule your first appointment and learn more.