For many individuals struggling to lose weight, gastric bypass surgery may be a viable option. Gastric bypass is a very common procedure in which surgeons shrink the size of the stomach and reroute the digestive tract. This helps restrict the amount of food the stomach can hold and also prevents the body from absorbing as much food as it used to. As a result, patients are able to lose and keep off excess body weight. Learn more about the gastric bypasses performed at Richmond University Medical Center’s Bariatric & Metabolic Institute for Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery.
How Gastric Bypass Surgery Works
During the surgery, the stomach will be sectioned off, usually with staples, so that food can only enter a small upper pouch. Then, it bypasses about two feet of the small intestine where food will not be digested. This limits the amount of calories and nutrients being absorbed. In addition, the procedure also changes gut hormones to help suppress the patient’s appetite.
The goal of the surgery is to help the patient lose weight in order to live a longer, happier and healthier life. By treating morbid obesity, many obesity-related medical conditions, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes, can also be reversed. However, as with any surgery, there is risk for complications, so it’s important to talk with a doctor about what to expect.
What to Expect After Gastric Bypass Surgery
In order to ensure success after undergoing gastric bypass surgery, there are permanent diet and lifestyle changes that patients must make. After surgery, you’ll start on a liquid diet before gradually moving through a diet progression of pureed, soft, and regular foods as advised by your surgeon. You can find more information on our Post-Bariatric Surgery Guide. You will take vitamin and mineral supplements, come in for frequent checkups to make sure recovery is going well, and receive specific guidance and support from your surgeon.
With the right lifestyle changes and regular checkups, over time many patients are able to enjoy long-term weight loss and improved health and quality of life following gastric bypass surgery. Ask your surgeon which type of surgery you may be a good candidate for.
Your Weight-Loss Journey Continues at RUMC
If you’re interested in gastric bypass surgery or another type of weight-loss surgery, RUMC can help. Our Bariatric & Metabolic Institute is staffed by compassionate, highly-experienced bariatric specialists with access to cutting-edge technology. Call (718)-818-4020 to learn more.
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