Obesity in the western world is a major problem. For some people it can be a matter of life and death. For most of us a good diet and exercise regime is enough to help us get into shape. But for some people more drastic action is required, and this is when surgery such as a gastric bypass comes in.
There is no doubt that there are huge and significant benefits to having gastric surgery, otherwise known as bariatric surgery. Studies have shown that life expectancy increases dramatically for surgery patients and the chances of getting diabetes, heart disease and certain types of cancer is significantly reduced.
Not just any one can walk in to a doctors and get gastric surgery. You must meet certain criteria such as having a body mass index of over 40. People with a BMI of over 35 are considered if they have co existing health problems. But before you will even be considered for surgery you must have tried to lose weight by dieting. Exercising and medication.
The actual operation is done under a general anesthetic meaning that the patient will be completely unaware of what is going on during the surgery. The surgeon will divide the stomach in two and rearrange the small intestine so that the stomachs capacity for food is reduced by at least 90%. The operation takes between 1 and 3 hours.
Due to the changed shape and size of, as well as the trauma to, the stomach the amount and type of the food you eat has to be different from what you what you would normally consume. Your surgeon will advise you on specifics but as a general rule you will have to drink clear fluids for the first two days. After this you will probably be moved on to pureed food for a while. Eating a diet high in fiber and protein and low in sugar and fat.
Most people suffer from no ill effects after surgery but there are those who may suffer from complications such as a condition called dumping. This occurs when a person consumes an excess of sugar. The symptoms of dumping are a rapid heart beat and a feeling of panic and it is a very unpleasant feeling. If there have been any complications during the initial surgery further surgical intervention may be needed to correct the problem
It is vitally important that the patient makes drastic lifestyle and diet changes after surgery to ensure that weight is lost and stays lost. It can be extremely difficult for the first month or so for the patient. Previous to the operation food may have played a large part in a persons life and to change this attitude can be difficult. In the long term however the benefits to a persons health are worth any sacrifices a person has to make.
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