Popular Treatments

A gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss operation that combines malabsorptive and restrictive features. You can’t eat as much as a consequence, and you take in less calories as a result.

What is gastric bypass?

One of the popular weight-loss treatments is Gastric Bypass. It offers a great combination of weight reduction and controllable side effects and has been used for more than 30 years. The method can be carried out robotically or laparoscopically. If your health is in danger as a result of extreme obesity, your doctor may recommend a procedure known as a gastric bypass, sometimes referred to as a Roux-en-Y or restrictive surgery. During the operation, your stomach’s volume is decreased from 1500 ml to around 30 ml, and it is then connected to the bottom portion of your small intestine. As a result, you are limited in how much food you can consume and how many calories your small intestine can absorb. Additionally, it alters your hormones, preventing you from eating harmful meals.

There are several kinds of gastric bypass surgery, including:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: The most frequent gastric bypass procedure is this one. Small cuts can be used by surgeons, which has a speedier recovery period than more involved surgery.

By stitching a section of the stomach together or by vertical banding, the surgeon first creates a tiny stomach pouch. This restricts the amount of food you can consume. The surgeon then joins a tiny intestinal segment in a Y form to the pouch. As a result, food bypasses a portion of your digestive tract. You assimilate less calories and nutrients as a result.

Extensive gastric bypass, is a more challenging form of the procedure. The bottom portion of the stomach is removed by the surgeon. The last segment of the small intestine is subsequently connected to the little pouch that is still there, totally obviating the previous two segments. It helps people lose weight, but it’s not very popular because it has a high rate of complications and might deplete you of nutrients.

What are pros and cons of gastric bypass surgery?

The benefit of this method is that it has years of experience behind it. One of the most extensively researched operations in contemporary medicine. It has one of the highest long-term success rates when compared to other weight loss techniques. Studies conducted decades after gastric bypass operations showed continuous, considerable weight reduction. When you lose weight, a lot of connected health issues become better or even go away. Many patients can stop taking their drugs for these illnesses.

Pros

• Your food intake is limited, and you are likely to feel full more quickly and for longer.
• Weight reduction begins at the moment of surgery, and it usually happens more quickly than it would thereafter.
• If you stick to the recommended diet, losing weight will happen faster than it would with a lap band.
• It is unusual for a patient to not lose the anticipated amount of weight after a gastric bypass procedure because:
• You can lose on average 65-75% of your excess weight;
• Average weight loss is greater than with other procedures, like Laparoscopic Adjustable Band and Sleeve Gastrectomy;
• The procedure doesn’t require any devices to stabilize you;
• It is especially effective at lowering medication needs and improving blood sugar control for people with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
• According to a recent review, diabetes was resolved in 81% of patients 2 years after surgery and in 71% of patients less than 2 years (Buchwald et al 2007 American Journal of Medicine)

Cons

• Because it takes longer and the stomach and intestines are cut, the surgery carries more risks than a gastric band.
• Obstruction can develop where the new joins are made at the pouch and further down the intestine. This may necessitate a procedure (endoscopic or surgical) to widen the area and allow food to travel through at the proper rate.
• For the rest of your life, you will require regular multivitamin and mineral pills.
• You run a higher chance of having nutrient deficiencies such those in calcium, iron, and vitamin B12. You may experience temporary hair thinning while decreasing weight quickly.
• Rapid weight reduction may cause you to develop gallstones; although this is uncommon, you could need to have another operation to have your gallbladder removed.
• Nausea and vomiting are possible, especially in the first few days following surgery. However, vomiting is also common if you eat too quickly or consume excessive amounts of food.
• You may experience dumping syndrome, a condition that occurs if you consume too much sugar, fat, or alcohol, or large amounts of food.
• It is not considered a health risk, but it can be very unpleasant with symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, sweating, faintness, weakness, and increased heart rate.
• Compared to a Lap Band, this treatment causes greater discomfort and requires more time to recuperate.
• Since you may have pain following surgery, including nausea and diarrhea, you will need to adhere to the low-sugar and low-starch diet recommendations.

Who is a candidate for gastric bypass surgery?

The prerequisites for gastric bypass surgery are comparable to those for other bariatric treatments. A qualified procedure must be advised for you. Generally, if you meet the following criteria, you may be a candidate for this surgery:

Your BMI determines this (body mass index). A BMI of at least 40 kg/m2 qualifies as class III obesity.

Have at least one obesity-related ailment and a BMI of at least 35.

Have type 2 diabetes brought on by obesity. If your type 2 diabetes is uncontrolled and you have a BMI of 30 or above, you may be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery to help manage it. Gastric bypass surgery has good benefits on blood sugar management.

If you’ve reached these goals, surgery could be suggested for you. But there will be more criteria set by your physician. You will meet with our staff for counseling and screening prior to scheduling your operation. They will inquire as to:

• Your dedication to making long-term lifestyle improvements. Surgery is an effective weight-loss technique, but it won’t work if you don’t use it. You’ll have to alter your eating habits permanently. You risk gaining back the lost weight if you don’t.
• That you are in good enough health and mind to undergo surgery. It’s probable that you’ll have a few routine medical examinations to ensure your safety during the surgery. Additionally, you can undergo tests for alcohol or cigarette usage and mental health.
• The fact that you’ve made prior attempts to reduce weight. You can be questioned by health insurance companies about the necessity of your weight loss surgery. They could insist that you start with a monitored diet and exercise routine.

People who are not eligible to have this surgical procedure:

• Anyone who is unable to maintain the required dietary modifications prior to and following surgery.
• Those with an eating or mental condition that is untreated or unresolved are not candidates for bariatric surgery, nor are those with a history of substance misuse. Bariatric surgery may be an option if these issues are well-controlled or addressed, and if a psychologist gives his or her approval.
• Women who intend to become pregnant soon shouldn’t have bariatric surgery.

What should you do before gastric bypas surgery?

The muscles in your digestive system and airway that prevent food and acid from flowing from your stomach into your lungs are relaxed by general anesthesia. Always abide by your doctor’s advice to abstain from meals and liquids before surgery.

Usually, you need to start fasting six hours before to surgery. You might be able to consume clear liquids up to the last few hours.

During your fasting period, your doctor could advise you to take some of your normal prescriptions with a little sip of water. Talk to your doctor about your prescriptions.

For at least a week before to your treatment, you may need to refrain from taking certain drugs, including aspirin and some other over-the-counter blood thinners. These drugs might make surgery more difficult.

Certain vitamins and natural medicines might make surgery more difficult. Before your operation, go over your supplement regimen with your doctor.

If you have diabetes, discuss any adjustments to your medication regimen during the fasting period with your doctor. On the morning before surgery, you typically won’t take oral diabetic medication. If you use insulin, your doctor could suggest lowering the dosage.

Talk to your doctor about your situation if you have sleep apnea. Your breathing will need to be closely monitored both during and after surgery by the anesthesiologist or anesthetist.

On the actual operating day

On the day of your procedure, you will be admitted to the ward. To provide the nurses with a starting point (normal reading), the nurses will test your temperature, blood pressure, respiration rate, height, weight, and urine. We will take measurements for special stockings (also called “TEDS”) to prevent deep vein thrombosis (DVT) or blood clots from developing in your legs after surgery. To reduce this risk, we could also begin administering anticoagulant (blood-thinning) injections to you. Before requesting your signature on a permission form, the surgeon will thoroughly describe the surgery to you. This is done to ensure that you are aware of both the advantages and hazards associated with the procedure.

All jewelry (excluding wedding rings, which can be taped into place), body piercings, make-up, nail polish, and dentures must be taken off. Then, one of the nurses will arrive and get you ready for the surgery room.

How is gastric surgery done?

Before your procedure, a general anesthetic will be administered to you. During surgery, anesthesia is a medication that keeps you relaxed and drowsy.

Your particular circumstances and the doctor’s procedures will determine the details of your gastric bypass. Some operations are performed through conventionally large (open) abdominal incisions. However, the majority are done laparoscopically, requiring several tiny abdominal incisions through which devices are inserted.

The surgeon makes a cut across the top of your stomach to seal it off from the remainder of your stomach after making the incisions using the open or laparoscopic procedure. Only approximately an ounce of food may fit in the resultant pouch, which is roughly the size of a walnut. Your stomach can typically store three quarts of food.

The small intestine is then partially sliced and sewn onto the pouch by the surgeon. Food then enters this little stomach pouch and travels right to the small intestine that is attached to it. Food enters your small intestine directly into the middle half, skipping much of your stomach and the first part of the intestine.

The average surgery lasts a few hours. You awaken in a recovery room following surgery, where medical personnel keep an eye out for any issues.

What should you do after gastric bypass surgery?

Until the anesthetic wears off, you must rest. But as soon as you can, get out of bed and start moving about. By doing this, you’ll be able to heal and keep blood clots from forming in your legs. You could also require painkillers.

You can be given something by your hospital to assist avoid deep vein thrombosis (DVT). To increase the blood flow in your legs, you might need to wear pads on your lower legs that are connected to an intermittent compression pump. Or, you might need to continue receiving injections of an anti-clotting drug like heparin while wearing compression stockings to assist improve your circulation.

To provide fluids, a drip will be inserted into a vein in your hand or arm. Soon after your procedure, if you feel well enough, you can start drinking little amounts of water, and a nurse will take away the drip.

Around two days following your procedure, you should be able to return home. Request a ride from a friend or relative. Before you leave the hospital, your nurse will explain how to take care of your healing wounds and provide you with a follow-up appointment date. Following the procedure, you might need to take painkillers for a few days.

An approximate three-week recovery period is required after a keyhole gastric bypass procedure. Typically, you’ll be on a liquid diet when you get home; your surgeon will offer guidance on how to cope with this. Please get in touch with us for further details.

Following gastric bypass surgery, you’ll need to drastically alter your diet because your stomach will be reduced in size. Usually, when you first go home, you’ll need to stick to a liquid diet. During the first four to six weeks following your procedure, you can then transition to puréed food, mashed food, and then tiny solid meals.

After surgery, you must make certain dietary adjustments. In order to maintain good health, you need also make sure that you consume adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals. For instance, iron deficiency might result in anaemia. For the rest of your life, you’ll need to take vitamin and mineral supplements. To make sure you’re getting what you need, you might also need to have frequent B12 injections and blood testing.

You’ll have to increase your workout. This will enable you to benefit fully from your gastric bypass surgery and achieve lasting weight loss.

After a gastric bypass, weight loss is typically a good thing. However, you could find it challenging to adjust to your new lifestyle and look. If you’re having trouble coping, speak to your doctor or surgeon. They could recommend a patient support group where you can get advice from others who have undergone the same procedure.

Frequently asked questions

How painful is a gastric bypass?

Loss of weight As major surgery, experiencing a range of symptoms to varied degrees is common. In the days and weeks following surgery, these symptoms may include exhaustion, nausea, vomiting, sleeplessness, pain from the operation, weakness, lightheadedness, gas discomfort, and emotional ups and downs. However, you may be confident that the surgical team in charge of your treatment gives your comfort the utmost importance. Some people experience some discomfort at the site(s) of their incision(s) or from the posture their body was in during surgery.

Initially, you’ll have some little discomfort, but thanks to a catheter in your vein, you’ll have access to painkillers whenever you need them. You won’t be allowed to leave the hospital until you’ve weaned off of your painkillers and can move about comfortably without assistance.

You will be able to use prescription painkillers at home. Most individuals need a week to wean off of them. The tiny incisions from laparoscopic surgery may still be uncomfortable while they’re healing, but they recover rather fast.

Is gastric bypass surgery safe in turkey?

It is entirely secure. In Turkey, there are many skilled surgeons and modern hospitals. You can have surgery without risk. In addition, the cost is considerably lower than in other nations. In summary, it provides patients with a wide range of advantages. The finest country in this sense is Turkey.