What is gastric bypass surgery?
Gastric bypass surgery is a proven method of weight loss which is ideal when you’ve a lot of weight to lose and have tried conventional weight loss methods without long-term success. The Hospital Group will not only provide your surgery, but also specialist dietitians, nurses and weight loss support team members who will help you get the best possible results on your weight loss journey.
Why get gastric bypass surgery?
Gastric surgery is a proven method of weight loss and is ideal when you have a lot of weight to lose and have tried many conventional methods of weight loss without long term success. The Hospital Group will not only provide your surgery but also a team of specialist dietitians, nurses and weight lot support team to help you get the best possible results on your weight loss journey.
Can gastric bypass surgery be reversed?
No, this type of weight loss surgery is permanent. If you are looking for something less permanent, then you could consider a gastric band instead.
What does my BMI need to be for gastric bypass surgery?
A gastric bypass may be suitable if you have a BMI (body mass index) of 40 or more, or a BMI of 35 or more if you also have an obesity-related condition, such as Type 2 diabetes. New guidelines suggest that surgery should be offered as a first-line treatment if you have recently been diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes and your BMI is over 30. These parameters are guidelines, however, and every patient is different.
Will gastric bypass surgery help if I have diabetes?
The WHO (World Health Organization) believes that being overweight/obese is major risk factor for diabetes. The unique changes in gut hormones that happen after a gastric bypass are also thought to improve diabetic control, independently of weight loss. While we cannot guarantee a change in your personal management of diabetes, many of our patients have been able to reduce their diabetic medications and improve their diabetes overall following gastric bypass surgery. Every patient is different, but new guidelines say a gastric bypass could be an effective first-line treatment for this condition.
Gastric bypass vs sleeve vs band: Which should I get?
Here at The Hospital Group, our specialist team will help you to find the best weight loss solution for you. We offer several different procedures, including gastric bypass, gastric band and gastric sleeve surgery. During your initial consultations, your patient advisor and surgeon will be able to talk you though the key differences between gastric sleeve compared to gastric bypass and band surgeries, helping you find the best solution in line with your goals.
Can I have gastric bypass surgery twice?
It’s possible to have a revision to your gastric bypass, but this does have increased risks of complication. For this reason, a second gastric bypass generally won’t be offered if you’ve regained weight and not followed the changes you needed to make to your diet and lifestyle.
How long does gastric bypass surgery take?
How long gastric bypass surgery takes will depends on the patient and the surgeon – but usually these operations take between 90 minutes and two hours if performed by keyhole surgery, which is almost always the case. If you are having your gastric band removed at the same time, the operation will usually take longer, but you can discuss this with your surgeon.
How long will I be in hospital?
This, again, depends on the patient and the surgeon, but usually you’ll need to stay in one of our specialist hospitals for 2-3 nights following your surgery, although sometimes you may be able to go home after one night.
What are the advantages of gastric bypass surgery?
For the seriously obese, the advantages of gastric bypass surgery tend to outweigh the risks. The benefits generally include:
Improvements in risk factors for heart disease and cancer
Up to 85% of patients with hypertension will be off medication (source: National Bariatric Surgery Registry Report 2014)
Cholesterol levels will fall
80% of Type 2 diabetics will be off medication after three years (source: National Bariatric Surgery Registry Report 2014)
Improvements in a range of conditions, including sleep apnoea, asthma, joint pain, arthritis, reflux, fatigue and shortness of breath
Patients report reduced feelings of depression, improved self-esteem and confidence, along with an increased sense of wellbeing
What can I eat after gastric bypass surgery?
It’s really important to follow the advice of your dietitian and surgeon in relation to your diet after gastric bypass surgery. You’ll need to follow a nutritious and healthy diet, ensuring you are consuming the right amounts of protein and vitamins after your gastric bypass. Our team will go through this in detail with you, so you know exactly what foods you can eat after gastric bypass surgery.
Usually, after 2-3 months, most patients are back on a varied diet of solid food. However, some patients may struggle with certain textures of food such as bread or red meat. In addition, a phenomenon known as Dumping Syndrome can occur if too much sugar is consumed – this results in symptoms such as dizziness, sweating, palpitations and bloating. Often patients say that these symptoms help to discourage them from eating too much sugar, which can then enhance weight loss.
Are there any gastric bypass side effects?
As with any surgery, there can be operative and long-term complications after gastric bypass surgery. These may include bleeding, complications due to anaesthesia and medications, infections, blood clots on the lung, deep vein thrombosis, wound breakdown, leaks from the staple line, injury to the spleen and marginal ulcers.
Please know that our expert surgeons are highly skilled and experienced in performing bariatric procedures, and that any gastric bypass side effects are rare. Our team will talk you through all possible short and long-term risks of gastric bypass surgery so you’re fully informed before having the procedure.
