In considering the appropriateness of surgery, a surgeon follows the standards and guidelines set by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The NIH says that a candidate should:

1. Have you attempted to lose weight in the past?

2. Do you desire to have a healthier life?

3. Are you committed to having a new relationship with food?

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Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass - The Surgery

Gastric bypass itself as a treatment for obesity has been around for over 30 years. The reason that the laparoscopic approach is so special is that its access is minimally invasive. There is generally less trauma to the patient, with a quicker healing rate.

During the procedure, staples are placed across the upper stomach and then cut between the staple lines. This separates the stomach into a very small upper part and the lower part remains but no longer receives food. We then cut the small bowel here and connect it to the small stomach pouch. The result is, when the patient eats, the food en- ters the small stomach and then exits directly into the small intestine. The rest of the stomach remains, but is bypassed so that it no longer acts as a reservoir.

After a period of recovery, the patient can eat relatively normal types of food, although in much smaller amounts. Most importantly, after eating a smaller amount of food, the patient feels full, satisfied and generally does not want to continue to eat.

When the laparoscopic approach for this surgery can be safely accomplished, the result is that the patients are generally up and around in a shorter period of time, ready to carry on with the recovery process, and ready to get on with their lives.

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Exercise - The Importance

If you are considering weight loss surgery, you need to understand the importance of an exercise program. In a perfect world, the surgery would eliminate the need for exercise and diet. In reality however, your compliance with a post-operative nutritional and exercise regimen is mandatory for a long-term and successful outcome after surgery.

Exercise is a very important part of a healthy lifestyle. There are numerous positive effects to be gained, all of which have been well documented in medical and scientific literature over the last several decades.

Physiologically, exercise can help lower blood pressure, improve circulation and reduce overall body stress, all of which contribute to a healthier you. Perhaps the best thing about exercise is that it is one of those rare things in life that can give you a feeling of accomplishment, as well as a "natural high", every single time you do it.

Exercise also stimulates the release of endorphins, chemicals produced in the brain that give you a sense of well-being. Exercise improves the cardiovascular system and because people usually drink more water when they exercise, in many cases, the tonicity of their skin improves. In general, people who exercise are healthier.

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Post-Op Nutrition

Before and after surgery, nutritional requirements will be addressed to insure the maintenance of optimum health. If your body does not obtain adequate nutrition, it is left vulnerable to fatigue, depression, infection and other illnesses that can impair functioning organ systems, compromise health, and even endanger life.

The goal of the surgery is not necessarily to lose pounds or clothing sizes, but to eliminate many of the dangerous health conditions that are associated with morbid obesity. Good nutrition and balanced meals is the key.

Patients must be well educated and properly monitored, especially since studies indicate that many have poor nutrition, including vitamin deficiencies before surgery.

The laparoscopic gastric bypass (Roux-en-Y) surgery has a remarkable 94% success rate with resolving or significantly improving many of the co-morbidities of morbid obesity. Substantial weight loss does occur and is one of the more attractive features of the treatment. After one year, the average patient loses 75-80% of their excess body weight. This success means little unfortunately, if the patient creates other health problems by not eating properly.

For all the support you need, please call us to explore Gastric Bypass Surgery. Anniston residents can take advantage of our facilities here at Northeast Alabama Regional Medical Center. We look forward to helping you achieve your goals of a healthier life.