Gastric Bypass - Term Paper Example

Gastric bypass has also been determined to be more effective than dieting in case of diabetic patients. In addition, other conditions such as sleep apnea, asthma, high blood pressure, gastroesophageal disease and heart disease risk have also found to improve with weight loss. However, the surgery is also associated with many risks. Hence, following a gastric bypass, an individual will be able to feel lighter and more efficient (Bhimji). Gastric bypass surgery is mainly performed to help people reduce weight only in case of obese people who are unable to lose weight through diet and exercise.

However, this bypass surgery does not guarantee permanent weight loss as both diet restrictions and exercise should be continued even after surgery. The surgery is mainly recommended for individuals who are mentally strong with an inclination to reduce weight and stay healthy and who do not consume alcohol or other drugs. In addition, their body mass index (BMI) should be more than 40 as these individuals tend to have a 100 pound excess weight than others. In cases where the BMI is 35 or more and if the individual suffers from problems such as apnea, diabetes and heart problems surgery is recommended for these individuals (Bhimji).

Any type of gastric bypass surgery involves two basic steps: the stomach is first shortened into a shorter upper region, which is referred to as a pouch, and a larger lower section with the help of staples and then a bypass is made between the lower end of the jejunum of the small intestine and a hole created in the pouch. As the jejunum is the region of the small intestine that connects it to the stomach, food entering the small pouch of the stomach will now enter the jejunum bypassing the remaining larger portion of the stomach (Bhimji).

There are two major types of gastric bypass surgery, the most commonly performed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) and extensive gastric bypass surgery (biliopancreatic diversion). The first type of surgery involves connecting the pouch region of the stomach with the lower end of the jejunum thus bypassing the duodenum and the initial portion of the jejunum. This procedure is now effectively carried out by laparoscopy, which is a less invasive procedure involving smaller incisions and the recovery time is also rapid (Goldstone).

Thinner surgical instruments are passed via a laparoscope to carry out the bypass. Both the hospital stay and the recovery period are quicker along with the advantage of reduced pain and lesser scars from the surgery (Bhimji). The extensive bypass procedure is a more complicated surgery in which the lower portion of the stomach is removed completely and the small pouch region of the stomach is directly connected to the last segment of the small intestine thereby bypassing both the duodenum and the jejunum regions.

While this method aids in weight loss more effectively, it is also associated with nutritional deficiencies to the lack of absorption of important nutrients (Goldstone). Both the above surgeries are carried out under general anesthesia. Following the surgery the size of the stomach will be considerably reduced and satiety levels will be reached with lesser food intake (Bhimji). Despite the various advantages associated with the surgery, it also suffers from several risks encountered either during the surgery or post-surgery.

The risk of surgery increases if the individual is unable to walk even for short distances, in case