| Gastric bypass (also called bariatric | | | | two-thirds of their excess weight within |
| surgery) closes off a large portion of | | | | 2 years. |
| the stomach, leaving only a pouch the | | | | There are risks associated with gastric |
| size of an egg. Gastric bypass works by | | | | bypass surgery. People who undergo this |
| restricting food intake. Patients feel | | | | procedure are at risk for: pouch |
| full after eating small amounts of food. | | | | stretching (stomach gets bigger |
| Fewer calories are eaten and weight is | | | | overtime, stretching back to its normal |
| lost. Gastric bypass patients typically | | | | size before surgery), band erosion (the |
| lose 70% of their excess weight, most of | | | | band closing off part of the stomach |
| it in the first year after surgery. | | | | disintegrates), breakdown of staple |
| Gastric bypass surgery combines the | | | | lines (band and staples fall apart, |
| creation of a small stomach pouch to | | | | reversing procedure), leakage of stomach |
| restrict food intake and construction of | | | | contents into the abdomen (this is |
| bypasses of the duodenum and other | | | | dangerous because the acid can eat away |
| segments of the small intestine to cause | | | | other organs), nutritional deficiencies |
| malabsorption (decreased ability to | | | | causing health problems. |
| absorb nutrients from food). | | | | Gastric bypass operations also may cause |
| There are two types of gastric bypass | | | | "dumping syndrome," whereby stomach |
| surgery: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) | | | | contents move too rapidly through the |
| and extensive gastric bypass | | | | small intestine. Symptoms include |
| (biliopancreatic diversion). | | | | nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, |
| Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most | | | | and, occasionally, diarrhea after |
| common gastric bypass procedure | | | | eating, as well as the inability to eat |
| performed in the U.S. First, a small | | | | sweets without becoming extremely weak. |
| stomach pouch is created by stapling | | | | Gallstones can occur in response to |
| part of the stomach together or by | | | | rapid weight loss. They can be dissolved |
| vertical banding. This limits how much | | | | with medication taken after the surgery. |
| food you can eat. Next, a Y-shaped | | | | The limited absorption of vitamin B12 |
| section of the small intestine is | | | | and iron can cause anemia. The lack of |
| attached to the pouch to allow food to | | | | calcium absorption can cause |
| bypass the duodenum as well as the first | | | | osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease. |
| portion of the jejunum. This causes | | | | People who undergo this procedure are |
| reduced calorie and nutrient absorption. | | | | required to take nutritional supplements |
| This procedure can now be done with a | | | | that usually prevent these deficiencies. |
| laparoscope (a thin telescope-like | | | | The more extensive the bypass operation, |
| instrument for viewing inside the | | | | the greater is the risk for |
| abdomen) in some people. This involves | | | | complications and nutritional |
| using small incisions and generally has | | | | deficiencies. People who undergo |
| a more rapid recovery time. | | | | extensive bypasses of the normal |
| In extensive gastric bypass ? a more | | | | digestive process require not only close |
| complicated gastric bypass operation - | | | | monitoring, but also lifelong use of |
| the lower portion of the stomach is | | | | special foods and medications. |
| removed. The small pouch that remains is | | | | Low carbs, the bottom line: you may lose |
| connected directly to the final segment | | | | weight quicker on a low-carbohydrate |
| of the small intestine, thus completely | | | | diet than on a diet to cut calories. |
| bypassing both the duodenum and jejunum. | | | | However, don't expect to lose as much |
| Although this procedure successfully | | | | weight as diet books say you will and |
| promotes weight loss, it is not as | | | | remember that the risks of heart |
| widely used because of the high risk for | | | | disease, stroke, cancer, and |
| nutritional deficiencies. | | | | osteoporosis for people on low-carb |
| Gastric bypass operations that cause | | | | diets have not been tested. There's |
| malabsorption and restrict food intake | | | | plenty of research that shows the way to |
| produce more weight loss than | | | | go is moderation in eating a diet rich |
| restriction operations, which only | | | | in fruits, veggies, beans, whole grains, |
| decrease food intake. People who have | | | | seafood, poultry, and low-fat dairy |
| bypass operations generally lose | | | | products. |