Obesity has become a major problem in America. As of 2009, the National Institutes of Health reports that an estimated 133.6 million Americans are either overweight or obese, representing over 40 percent of the country. Diet and exercise are typically the most widely recommended courses of action to lose weight, but other aids can also help a person during the process. One of the more extreme options to achieve weight loss is to undergo gastric bypass surgery.
Function
The Mayo Clinic reports that gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach by a considerable amount. By doing this, patients take in less food. The surgery is simple: a large portion of the stomach is cut off, leaving a small section that can only hold a small amount of food. The small intestine is then rerouted to the small pouch, which bypasses the majority of the stomach and therefore reduces the amount of calories your body absorbs.
Significance
Gastric reduction surgery is a virtual guarantee to lose weight. Depending on the size of the patient, hundreds of pounds can be shed, says MedicineNet. Weight loss for people who are severely obese becomes possible, within a reasonable time period, giving some hope to individuals who were previously without it. Gastric bypass surgery, along with the Lap Band surgery that uses a surgically attached band to restrict the stomach's size, has been growing in popularity in recent years due to the success that so many have had.
Time Frame
The time frame for weight loss is determined by the size of the person and how much effort that they put into the recovery period. Doctors say that the average person can lose between 50 percent and 75 percent of their extra weight in 12 to 18 months, according to OR-Live.com. Doctors put people on a strict diet in the first few weeks, moving from liquid to pureed foods, then finally back to solid foods. The pounds tend to come off rather fast after gastric bypass, surprising many people who have undergone the procedure.
Effects
The effects of undergoing gastric bypass surgery and losing a large amount of weight are truly astonishing to those that underwent the procedure. Not only are hundreds of pounds shed, but health ailments that were related to the excess weight may be drastically improved or eliminated. According to MedicineNet, diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, and sleep apnea will show improvement almost right away. Individuals will also see a boost in their own self-confidence level and their quality of life will improve tremendously.
Considerations
Gastric bypass surgery is not for everyone and a doctor must determine whether it is a viable option for a patient to pursue, says the Mayo Clinic. If a person qualifies for the procedure, it is important to follow the instructions during the recovery process. Eating healthier and getting plenty of physical activity is the natural way to lose weight and can expedite the weight loss process for those that have undergone gastric bypass surgery.
