ABOUT GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY
Gastric bypass surgery is performed to help patients to lose weight by reducing the size of the stomach. The surgery is performed to help patients with weight-loss after non-surgical methods such as change of diet and regular exercise, have failed to produce results.
The surgery is generally only performed on patients who are morbidly obese and have a BMI (body mass index) over 40, and after other non-surgical methods of weight-loss, such as diet changes and exercise have failed. However, it may also be performed on patients who have a BMI of 35-40 and have health conditions which may threaten the patient’s health when combined with obesity, such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or osteoarthritis.
Patients undergoing the procedure must be prepared to make permanent lifestyle changes to their diet and exercise in order to sustain the success of the surgery. The surgery may not be suitable for all patients, therefore a series of tests must be carried out and medical guidelines for the surgery must be abided by, in determining whether or not the surgery is suitable for the patient.
The most common type of procedure is the Roux-en-Y technique, which involves closing off part of the stomach with staples, allowing just a small pouch of stomach to be used, and then surgically attaching it to the small intestine. This restricts the intake of food and the amount of calories and nutrients that are absorbed, resulting in weight-loss.
Recommended for:
- Patients who have a BMI of 40 or higher and have failed to lose weight through change of diet or exercise
- Patients with a BMI of 35-40 who also have health conditions such as diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood pressure or osteoarthritis
TIME REQUIREMENTS
Number of days in hospital: 1 – 3 days
Average length of stay abroad: 2 weeks.
Flying after surgery can increase the risk of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) and patients will need to be cleared by the surgeon before flying.
COMPARE GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY PRICES AROUND THE WORLD
| Country | Cost |
|---|---|
| Thailand | 16326€ |
| United Arab Emirates | 8613€ |
| India | 7626€ |
| Poland | 7000€ |
| Mexico | 4935€ |
| Tunisia | 2900€ |
HOW TO FIND QUALITY TREATMENT ABROAD
BEFORE GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY ABROAD
The patient will undergo a variety of tests in order to determine whether or not they are a suitable candidate for the surgery.
In preparation for the the surgery, patients will have to follow a diet plan and the consulting doctor will advise the patient about discontinuing any medication that could affect the surgery. Patients are likely to be advised to follow a physical activity program and to abstain from smoking.
Patients with complex conditions may benefit from seeking a second opinion before beginning a treatment plan. A second opinion means that another doctor, usually an expert with a lot of experience, will review the patient’s medical history, symptoms, scans, test results, and other important information, in order to provide a diagnosis and treatment plan. When asked, 45% of US residents who received a second opinion said that they had a different diagnosis, prognosis, or treatment plan.
HOW IS IT PERFORMED
The patient is administered with a general anesthetic before the surgery begins. Roux-en-Y is the most common type of gastric bypass surgery.
The procedure is traditionally performed as open surgery and involves readjusting the size of the stomach so that only a small part of the stomach functions. This new, smaller stomach pouch is significantly smaller in size and is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine.
The procedure is increasingly performed laparoscopically, which involves inserting a surgical telescope through several small incisions, which is guided by a camera and has surgical instruments attached to perform the surgery. Laparoscopic surgery is less invasive than open surgery and has quicker healing times in comparison.
Anesthesia
General anesthetic.
Procedure duration
The Gastric Bypass Surgery takes 2 to 4 hours.
WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY
Post procedure care
It is common to experience some pain at the site of surgery, and patients will usually spend 2 to 3 days in hospital. Patients may experience nausea, and will be given a special diet plan straight away.
Possible discomfort
Discomfort and soreness is normal for a few days after surgery.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY
Success rates
Gastric bypass surgery is very successful in helping patients to lose weight. However, due to the risks associated with the surgery, it is only recommended for patients who are morbidly obese.
Not recommended for
- Inflammative diseases of the gastrointestinal tract (e.g. Crohn’s disease)
- Cirrhosis
- Portal hypertension
- Esophageal or gastric varices
- Congenital anomalies of the digestive tract (i.e, esophagus, stomach, duodenum, situs)
- Severe eating disorders
- Alcoholism or drug addiction
- Pregnancy
- Autoimmunity diseases
- Use of immunosuppressants
- Problems with general anesthetic
Potential risks
- Ulceration
- Reaction to the anesthesia
- Gastritis
- Malnutrition
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Digestive problems
- Damage to internal organs
- Deep vein thrombosis
- Pulmonary embolism
- In rare cases, surgical complications may lead to death
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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Is gastric bypass surgery safe? What are the risks and complications associated with gastric bypass?
Gastric bypass surgery is a major surgery with both short and long-term risks. Short-term risks include excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots, respiratory complications, leaks in the gastrointestinal system, and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. Long-term complications are associated with the changes in your digestive system from the surgery and include bowel obstruction, dumping syndrome, gallstones, hernias, hypoglycemia, malnutrition, stomach perforation, ulcers, and vomiting.
Many of the complications from gastric bypass procedures can be avoided by closely following your doctor’s instructions before and after surgery.
It is possible to reverse a gastric bypass. However, this is only done in rare cases where there is a problem. Usually the gastric bypass remains, to help the patient to maintain a healthy weight.
Many surgeons perform gastric bypass surgery laparoscopically, meaning that rather than making a large incision, several small incisions are used to access the stomach. This minimally invasive technique means that patients can often leave the hospital after 2 or 3 days. After the surgery, the patient will only have liquids for the first day or 2, and then can slowly introduce foods. After 1 month, patients should be recovered from the surgery, and already showing signs of weight loss.
After the surgery, patients usually lose a large percentage of their excess body weight. As a result, many obesity related illnesses (such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes) improve or disappear altogether. However, the surgery itself does not make the patient healthier, rather the healthier diet and weight loss that occurs after the surgery.
Gastric bypass procedures and other bariatric procedures make it easier for the patient to lose weight. However, the success of the procedure in terms of reducing or eliminating obesity is largely based on how well the patient adheres to a healthy lifestyle after surgery. It is still possible to gain weight even after bariatric surgery if the patient does not make changes in their lifestyle.
Gastric bypass surgery is usually done once, and should result in sustained weight loss. In rare cases where the surgery is reversed, patients should discuss their options with the surgeon.
Sometimes the gastric bypass surgery can be performed again, however due to scarring, the surgeon may recommend a different type of weight loss surgery.
Bariatric surgeries are high risk because often the patients already have health problems related to obesity, and regardless of age, the doctor should assess whether the patient is healthy enough for the surgery. In theory, there is no age limit, however the normal age range for bariatric surgery patients is between 18 and 65.
This depends on your health and the nature of your job, and your surgeon will be able to give personalized advice. Many people are able to return to work within 1 to 2 weeks, however, you may find you have lower energy levels. If possible, it is good to start gently, working reduced hours or every other day, and after a month or so return to normal.
