Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach and restricts the amount of food that a person can consume. It also alters the route of the food through the digestive tract so that it does not pass through the part of the small intestine that absorbs calories. This rerouting of the food stream leads to changes in the production of gut hormones that promote fullness and suppress appetite. Eventually, the surgery can help patients lose up to 50% of their excess weight and maintain the weight loss for life.
The success rate of gastric bypass surgery is around 85 percent, which means that more than half of the people who undergo the surgery will lose their excess weight. Even more importantly, a majority of people who undergo gastric bypass surgery will maintain that weight loss. Although some people will lose weight initially, they may gain it back after a while.
Gastric bypass surgery is a life-changing procedure, but it is not a magic pill that can cure obesity forever. You will still have to commit to a healthy diet and regular physical activity after the procedure. While the procedure is generally safe and easy to complete, it comes with many risks, so it is important to educate yourself about the risks and side effects of this procedure.
If you have undergone gastric bypass surgery, you will be prescribed a post-operative diet that should be followed to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight. After the surgery, you should be sure to eat soft foods and plenty of water. Drinking adequate water will also help speed up your recovery.
The recovery time from gastric bypass surgery is similar for gastric sleeve and gastric bypass patients. However, the recovery time for gastric sleeve patients may be quicker, depending on any complications. After the surgery, patients are usually discharged from the hospital, usually one to three days after the surgery.
Another important feature of gastric bypass surgery is that it reduces the size of the stomach. Since 80 percent of the stomach is surgically removed, less food will be digested. The small intestine contains the segment responsible for absorbing calories, and since the stomach is smaller, less food will be absorbed by the body.
Aside from lowering calorie intake, the procedure also changes the production of certain hormones in the body. These hormones promote feelings of fullness and suppress hunger. The process also reverses the mechanism of type 2 diabetes.
Although gastric bypass surgery is the most common form of bariatric surgery, there are a number of risks associated with it. It is a more complicated procedure than other forms of weight loss surgeries, and it requires patients to change their lifestyle.