How can gastric bypass change an individual’s life?

losing weight

When people undergo gastric bypass surgery it is a completely life changing event for them. The patients who select this specific type of surgery, mainly do that to experience substantial weight loss. Reports state that people lose as much as 10 to 20 pounds per month during the first year after the gastric bypass is done. A patient can lose about 60 to 70 percent of his excess weight.

Gastric bypass procedures are also known as Roux-en-Y or gastroplasty, and are a trusted and well-researched bariatric surgical solution to lose some extra pounds. In fact, they’re considered by many the gold standard in the treatment for weight loss since they also have a considerably lower risk of postoperative complications than that of any other weight loss procedure.

The patients who undergo bariatric surgery usually experience a reduced risk of serious health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure and sleep apnea. It can also help in lessening the severity of long-term effects of comorbid health issues and obesity. For more information or to schedule a consultation, check out the award-winning Bariatric and Metabolic Center of Colorado.

What are the side effects and complications of Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass is one of the most invasive yet impactful procedures that patients are likely to experience in a bariatric center. As with any other type of surgery, there’s always a chance for short-term as well as long-term problems to appear. However, these complications are rarely fatal.

Short term risks include:

  • Excessive bleeding
  • Infection
  • Adverse reactions to anaesthesia
  • Blood clots
  • Breathing and lung problems 
  • Leakage in the gastrointestinal system

Long-term risks and complications include:

  • Dumping syndrome
  • Hernias
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • Malnutrition
  • Stomach perforation
  • Ulcers
  • Vomiting

Recovery tips after gastric bypass

Usually the patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery can return to their normal activities after a time period of three to five weeks. However some factors could affect the length of a patient’s recovery such as their age as well as their overall health conditions. The most important factor to increase the chances of a quick and full recovery is the patient’s compliance with the guidelines provided by the doctor.

Here are the most important steps to ensure your recovery after undergoing a gastric bypass intervention:

  • Make sure to sleep for at least eight hours or more each night
  • Always stay hydrated
  • Closely follow your post-operative diet
  • Be wary about taking vitamins and supplements an always seek your doctor’s advice before doing so

If the patient experiences some serious side effects or complications such as infection or bleeding, he or she should notify his doctor immediately.