Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsPurposeHow to PrepareWhat to ExpectRecoveryLong-Term CareNext in Gastric Bypass Surgery GuideGastric Bypass Surgery: How to Prepare
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Purpose
How to Prepare
What to Expect
Recovery
Long-Term Care
Next in Gastric Bypass Surgery Guide
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What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Surgical Techniques
Less commonly, the surgery is performed as open surgery. This means that the surgeon accesses the stomach and small intestine through a large incision in the abdomen.
The “Gold Standard”
Criteria and Contraindications
BMI is a dated, flawed measure. It does not take into account factors such asbody composition, ethnicity, sex, race, and age. Even though it is a biased measure, BMI is still widely used in the medical community because it’s an inexpensive and quick way to analyze a person’s potential health status and outcomes.
An exception to the above criteria is that Asian patients who have uncontrolled type 2 diabetes and a BMI as low as 27.5 may be considered for weight loss surgery.
This exception stems from the fact that, when compared to whites, people of Asian origin are more likely to accumulate fat in their abdomen, as opposed to their buttocks, hips, and thighs. This abdominal fat buildup increases their risk for insulin resistance and heart disease, even at relatively low body mass index levels.
Potential Risks
Purpose of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Therefore, even if a person meets the above-mentioned medical criteria for surgery, they still need to undergo several pre-surgical assessments in order to ensure they are medically, psychologically, and cognitively ready for this lifelong commitment.
Some of these tests may include:
Based on test results and/or a patient’s medical history, specialty consultations may be required. For example, anendocrinologyconsultation may be recommended for patients with type 2 diabetes and poorly controlled glucose levels.
Psychological and cognitive assessments are also required.
Goals of these psychological/cognitive assessments include:
Final tests required for surgery clearance include:
Important Note
Bariatric Surgery: Everything You Need to Know
Once you are cleared for surgery and your procedure date is scheduled, your surgical team will give you instructions on how to prepare.
These instructions may include:
Gastric Bypass Surgery: How to Prepare
What to Expect on the Day of Surgery
Once you are admitted and prepped for surgery, an antibiotic will be given and your anesthesia will be administered via an IV. Your surgeon will then perform the following steps:
You will engage in some form of physical activity (usually leg exercises) with the assistance of your nurse. Soon thereafter, you will begin getting out of bed and walking around. If you are experiencing any difficulties performing these exercises (perhaps due to post-surgical weakness or obesity-related mobility problems), your nurse or surgeon may call aphysical therapistto assist you.
Upon discharge, your surgeon will give you specific instructions about recovering at home. You will likely be asked to:
When to Seek Medical AttentionAs you recover from surgery, it’s important to reach out to your surgeon if you develop any of the following symptoms:FeverSigns of a wound infection (e.g., redness, swelling, increased pain, or abnormal drainage)Chest pain or trouble breathingNausea or vomiting that lasts more than 12 hoursLeg or calf pain, redness, or swellingUrinating fewer than four times in 24 hoursPain that is not eased with medication
When to Seek Medical Attention
As you recover from surgery, it’s important to reach out to your surgeon if you develop any of the following symptoms:FeverSigns of a wound infection (e.g., redness, swelling, increased pain, or abnormal drainage)Chest pain or trouble breathingNausea or vomiting that lasts more than 12 hoursLeg or calf pain, redness, or swellingUrinating fewer than four times in 24 hoursPain that is not eased with medication
As you recover from surgery, it’s important to reach out to your surgeon if you develop any of the following symptoms:
The key to maintaining this weight loss in the long-term includes the following practices:
It will also be important to attend all of your follow-up appointments with your surgeon and bariatric dietitian. The purpose of these various appointments is to:
For your long-term recovery, your surgeon may recommend that you join a bariatric surgery support group. Doing so may provide you with valuable resources and emotional guidance for issues like remaining committed to your lifestyle changes, dealing with any post-surgical body image concerns, and returning to work or dating life.
A Word From Verywell
26 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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