Essential Principles On Gastric Bypass Surgery

By Pamela Graham


Imagine reorganizing the alimentary canal such that the small intestine separates the stomach into two unequal parts. Gastric bypass surgery does exactly that. It is an operation that one can benefit from when in New York City. The main aim is to alter the function of the digestive system to suit the needs of the individual in question. In this case, the concerned individual is one suffering from morbid obesity or associated conditions such as hypertension, sleep apnea and diabetes among others.

The purpose of a small upper pouch is to limit the amount of food that can be consumed. It is important to partition the stomach completely so as to ensure the two separate portions do not reunite in the course of healing as this will render the surgery meaningless. Laparoscopy is the most common and current technique used in the operation mainly because of minimal invasion.

Just like any other major surgery, this operation comes with its own complications. Some of the complications are related to abdominal operation while others are specific to gastric bypass procedures (GBP). These potential adverse effects are used to assess the risk of operation and mortality. The overall rate of complications is higher with open incisions than when laparoscopy is used.

Peritonitis or abscesses are complications that are likely to occur as a result of making surgical incisions in the abdomen. Observing sterile measures and diligent wound care are some of the practices that keep infections at bay. Nosocomial infections such as sepsis and pneumonia can be treated through use of antibiotics as a short term form of management.

Blood tends to clot more during an operation to counter the bleeding that occurs as result of incisions made. The clots frequently form in leg veins and sometimes the pelvis for the very obese patient. Unfortunately, the blood clots may get dislodged and travel to the lungs posing a serious threat to the health of the individual. Anticoagulants are usually given preoperatively to minimise chance of venous thromboembolism.

Abdominal surgeries may also be associated with bleeding, bowel obstruction and hernias. Hemorrhage can be attributed to blood vessel rupture during the procedure. Arrangements should therefore be made preoperatively to make blood available for transfusion if needed. The types of hernias that occur in such cases are known as incisional hernias and are likely to occur when the surgical wound fails to heal as expected. These are not only painful but can also cause kinking of the bowel.

This procedure has numerous benefits when done right. Not only does it result in desired weight loss, it also reduces the effects of co morbidities significantly. An example is essential hypertension which is remedied in over seventy percent of patients subjected to the operation. Requirement for drugs in the remaining thirty percent is markedly reduced. Hyperlipidemia is also corrected in up to seventy percent of individuals.

There are a number of downsides though. People who have undergone gastric bypass experience both emotional and physiologically changes. They may get depressed as a result of having to adjust their food intake. With low intake of food, they may end up with low energy levels and muscle weakness. Consequently, they are likely to face challenges in carrying out strenuous activities such as lifting heavy objects or even climbing stairs. Fortunately, these issues get resolved over time as food consumption gradually increases.




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