If you are overweight and haven't experienced much success with dieting and exercise, your doctor may recommend gastric bypass surgery as a weight-loss alternative. A gastric bypass procedure is usually recommended for people who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. This surgery can be performed safely in a medical setting and can help improve the way that you eat and process food.

The Procedure

The Roux-en-Y is the most common gastric bypass procedure method and is performed to reduce the stomach's size so that it can't hold as much food at any given time. During surgery, the stomach is divided into two sections with the use of staples. This surgical method can make the top part of the stomach that holds food smaller so that you'll feel fuller faster when you eat. A small portion of your small intestine is then surgically connected to the upper portion of the stomach to aid digestion and limit calorie absorption. If the doctor chooses to perform an extensive gastric bypass procedure instead, the lower portion of the stomach will be removed before the small intestine is attached to the upper stomach. You'll be asleep throughout your surgery while you're under general anesthesia so that you won't have to experience pain, discomfort, or anxiety during your gastric bypass procedure. 

Less Food Required for Satiety

Overeating is the main cause of obesity, and gastric bypass surgery can help reduce your food cravings and portion sizes so that you'll lose weight easier. The upper part of your stomach where food is stored won't be able to hold as many contents, and you won't have to eat as much as you did before your surgery to get full and remain satiated until your next meal. 

Treatment of Other Health Conditions

Gastric bypass surgery can also work as a treatment for different health problems that are associated with obesity. When you lose weight with the help of this surgery, you may be able to reverse or at least relieve some of the symptoms of conditions such as:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • Acid reflux
  • Chronic joint pain
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Breathing difficulties while moving
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)

Better Self-confidence

If being overweight has made you feel insecure and more conscious about your body, gastric bypass surgery may change your outlook on life. After you've had surgery and shed the unwanted pounds, you'll likely feel better in your own skin and won't feel as self-conscious when you're around other people. Clothes will fit you better, and you'll be able to do more activities once you've lost weight, which can boost your self-esteem even more.

Gastric bypass surgery has changed many people's lives for the better, and you'll likely be amazed by how this surgery can help you lose weight and transform your body. A doctor who specializes in this procedure can answer your questions and give you more detailed information on what gastric bypass surgery involves.

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