Which of the following occurs in the majority of patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery?

For individuals suffering from morbid obesity who have tried unsuccessfully to lose the excess weight through diet and exercise, gastric bypass weight loss surgery is often the most effective solution. At Advanced Surgicare, Dr. V. Kuzinkovas treats patients seeking gastric bypass surgery in Sydney and the surrounding area. He performs the procedure laparoscopically, with the Roux-en-Y technique, one of the most common and effective weight loss surgeries designed to help those suffering from morbid obesity lose their excess weight.

Gastric Bypass Quick Info:

• Operating time of approx. 60 to 90 mins
• Average hospital stay of 2 to 4 days
• Average time off work from 2 to 4 weeks
• Procedure is reversible
• Weight loss surgery financing plans available

Advantages Of Gastric Bypass

• Best known long term operation
• Rapid initial weight loss
• Improves or totally resolves diabetes
• Maximum amount of weight loss

Gastric Bypass Risks:

• Changes to normal digestion
• Staple separation or leakage
• More follow up than after sleeve gastrectomy
• Gastric stomal ulcer

Find out more about gastric bypass with the following links.

Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

This educational video will explain the normal process of digestion, the Roux-En-Y gastric bypass procedure and how weight loss will occur upon completion of the surgery.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Results

Gastric bypass is designed to reduce your food intake. Following gastric bypass, you will feel full after consuming a limited amount of food. Additionally, your body will absorb fewer nutrients and calories, encouraging weight loss.

Gastric Bypass Helps You Lose Weight

Gastric bypass surgery helps patients lose excess weight in three different ways:

• It restricts the amount of food that a person can ingest. This is referred to as the restrictive component of bariatric surgery.
• It limits the amount of nutrients that the body can absorb. This is referred to as its malabsorptive component.
• Roux-en-Y gastric bypass alters the levels of gut hormones such as peptide YY (PYY) and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), leading to more satiety and satisfaction after a small meal intake. This is referred as a metabolic component of gastric bypass surgery.

The Gastric Bypass Procedure

During gastric bypass weight loss surgery, Dr. Kuzinkovas decreases the size of the functional section of the stomach so it is about the size of an egg. He then creates a stoma, or a small opening, between the stomach and the intestine. The gastric bypass surgeon then attaches a part of the small intestine to the smaller stomach pouch. This allows the food to bypass the section of the small intestine that absorbs calories and nutrients.

Following gastric bypass surgery, patients feel full after consuming only a limited amount of food, thanks to the smaller stomach pouch that they now have. In addition, the stoma delays the stomach from emptying, so individuals feel satisfied for a longer period of time. Also, because the food that the patient consumes bypasses a part of the small intestine, the body absorbs fewer nutrients and calories, prompting weight loss.

After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Immediately after the procedure, patients must adhere to a clear liquid diet for several days. They can then advance to a diet consisting of pureed foods. It is extremely important for patients to drink a sufficient amount of fluids, so they do not become dehydrated.

One Month Post-Op:

Approximately one month after the procedure, individuals advance to a transitional diet, incorporating more regular foods into their diet. During this phase, it is common for patients to feel slightly ill or experience a decrease in energy levels as they adapt to the changes in their digestive system and adopt healthier eating habits. This is also the period in which individuals usually experience the fastest weight loss. Certain patients may lose weight at a rate of about 5-7 kilograms per month, during this phase.

Six Months Post-Op:

About six months after gastric bypass surgery, patients adopt their long-term diet, which helps them maintain their desired weight over the long run. For the rest of their lives, patients will eat limited portions of regular foods.

Two Years Post-Op:

During the first two years following the procedure, individuals who have undergone gastric bypass surgery in Sydney with Dr. Kuzinkovas can expect to lose about 70-80 percent (or more) of their excess weight. However, some individuals can regain about 10 percent of the lost weight during the second to fifth year following the procedure.

To help patients avoid this propensity to regain weight, Advanced Surgicare offers nutrition counseling as well as psychological counseling when needed. In order to maintain their ideal weight over the long term, individuals must make a concerted effort to maintain a healthy lifestyle and engage in regular exercise for the rest of their lives.

Am I A Candidate For Gastric Bypass?

You may be an ideal candidate for gastric bypass surgery if you:

• Have a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 (get a BMI estimate with our BMI calculator)
• Have a body mass index of at least 30 and have major obesity-related medical problems (e.g., diabetes)
• Are at least 18 years old
• Have attempted and failed to lose weight through diet and exercise

In general, appropriate gastric bypass weight loss candidates include individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of at least 40, or those with a BMI of 35 or more who also suffer from at least one co-morbid condition related to obesity. (Obesity-related co-morbid conditions include type-2 diabetes, asthma, sleep apnea and more.) On the other hand, individuals who suffer from excessive (super) obesity and suffer from numerous medical co-morbidities might be too high of a surgical risk to undergo anesthesia and may not be suitable candidates for the procedure. Candidacy decisions are made on case-by-case basis.

Take The First Step In Losing Weight

Take the first step in your weight loss journey and find out if you are a suitable candidate for either gastric bypass surgery or another type of bariatric surgery such as Lap Band surgery or Sleeve Gastrectomy.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Kuzinkovas, please contact Advanced Surgicare Clinic by calling 1300 551 533.