The two types of bypass surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is a very popular method of achieving rapid weight loss. It's a procedure that is only performed on those who need to lose weight drastically in order to improve their health. Few people realize that there are actually two different types of gastric bypass surgery that you may have performed. In this article, we'll examine the two types of bypass surgery and let you know who benefits the most from both types.

The most common method of performing a gastric bypass surgery is known as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. This type of procedure is used the most because it offers the best trade-off between possible side effects and an efficient level of weight loss. In the procedure, the stomach is separated into two parts via the use of staples or a band. The bottom part of the stomach is sealed off and neglected, while the top part of the stomach is limited to a size of roughly one ounce. This small part of the stomach is then connected to the small intestine, negating the normal route that food takes as we eat it. In this way, the patient is limited to a diet that is of one thousand calories or less per day. The patient will not feel a great sense of hunger, and they can therefore lose lots of weight very effectively through the procedure. This procedure is performed via the use of an incision that is made across the abdomen, allowing the surgeon to lift away the skin and perform the necessary banding of the stomach.

Those who undergo the Roux-en-y bypass surgery can expect to lose approximately seventy five to eighty percent of the excess weight that they currently face within a year of the operation. The procedure can also help to clear up problems that may be caused by the excess weight; back pain, sleep apnea, depression, high levels of blood pressure, and type II diabetes may be lessened after the surgery is performed.

The other method of performing a gastric bypass surgery operation is known as a laparoscopic procedure. In this methodology, the surgeon will make small incisions on the body, using a small camera and tiny tools in order to manipulate the digestive tract without leaving one big scar. Those who undergo a laparoscopic procedure may find that they heal quicker than those who undergo the standard open gastric bypass surgery. There is also a shorter hospital stay associated with this type of surgery, and there is a lessened chance of infection. Those who are over 75 pounds overweight and have a weight-related problem such as diabetes may benefit from this approach, as well as those who have no weight-related problems but are at least 100 pounds overweight.

Before undergoing any form of gastric bypass surgery, you should be well aware of the risks. There is a chance, albeit a small one, of death due to complications of the surgery. For that reason, all forms of gastric bypass surgery are recommended as a 'last chance' method of solving a serious weight loss problem.

Gastric banding news on the Web

Long term, gastric bypass beats out banding: study
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A new study evaluates the best option in terms of weight loss surgery for those who need it. Researchers found gastric bypass patients lose more weight than gastric banding patients and keep it off longer. Even though banding is a simpler operation, nearly half of those patients were still obese after six years.

Weight Loss: Is Bypass Better Than Banding?
Gastric banding doesn't work as well as bypass surgery, according to a new study.

Gastric bypass 'better' than gastric banding, study shows
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As 'Next Tier Patients' Undergo Gastric Banding and Bypass, GI Device Market Grows
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Gastric Bypass Surgery More Effective For Weight Loss
Gastric bypass surgery is far more effective against morbid obesity than gastric banding, leading to weight loss that is faster and longer-lasting, a new Swiss study says. According to HealthDay News, the benefits come with an increased risk, however.

Study: Gastric Bypass More Effective
Gastric bypass surgery is more effective and associated with fewer complications than gastric banding, also known as the lap band procedure. That's according to a new study released Monday afternoon.

At 5: Comparing weight loss surgeries
Many obese patients choose gastric banding surgery for weight loss. It is a simpler operation than gastric bypass surgery.

Smart Woman: Gastric Banding? Or Gastric Bypass Surgery?
An estimated 220,000 Americans have weight loss surgery every year. That's double the number a decade ago. There are two common types of procedures and a new study has found that one may be more effective.