Gastric bypass surgery is a surgical procedure for dividing the stomach into two sections, or pouches. The small intestine is rearranged to connect to both the small upper pouch and the larger lower section. There is different method developed over the years for the intestine to be reattached. Either method greatly reduces the volume the stomach can hold. The result is that patients must adjust their thinking about food, which must be eaten in reduced quantities, combinations and frequency. Gastric Bypass Surgery (GBS) is considered for people considered morbidly obese with type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure for with a program of diet and exercise has not produced desired results.
A method of surgery with small incisions cut into the abdomen is the more difficult of the surgery techniques available but reduces recovery time, pain and scar size. This surgical procedure is called “laparoscopy”. A surgical telescoping video camera is inserted in one of the cuts to guide the surgeon with a two-dimensional monitor to guide the surgeon during the procedure. Since its introduction in 1993 the surgery equipment and surgeon expertise have increased, making the surgery more popular resulting in several hundred thousand surgeries annually. It is important to remember that any surgical procedure, including GBS, may result in complications, including death.
GBS reduces the volume size of the stomach by over 90%. The normal stomach stretch capacity reduces from up to 1000 ml to a non-stretchable size of 15 ml. When the patient eats they feel full immediately. This does not stop the desire to eat more but adding more food leads to great discomfort or vomiting. While weight loss occurs, the patient learns to change eating habits, reducing intake drastically eating very small meals 5-6 times per day. The psychological affect teaches the patient to re-learn eating habits. Starting with meals 1/4 cup to 1/2 cup in volume meals increase to slowly eating a cup of food at each meal after up to a year. Consumption of 80-100 grams of protein daily is considered essential.
Now that you know the procedure and are prepared to consider the surgery it is time to perform an internet search for a gastric bypass surgeon orange county locals trust to find a number of doctors in Orange County to contact to discuss having the surgery. There are a number of surgeons available to help you prepare for the process. Surgery is never taken lightly, and you will be evaluated, re-evaluated and asked to read materials and watch a number of videos to prepare you for the procedure. It is not as easy as it may sometimes sound, and careful consideration should be taken before performing this operation.
Discuss the surgery with your insurance carrier. They may approve the operation or offer other alternatives such as a Gastric Balloon procedure. If not, many financing options exist. Be sure in choosing your surgeon that they are board certified, have performed this surgery numerous times and that they fully explain the procedure short and long term. You need to be fully informed.