Gastric Bypass Surgery

@crystalc (289)
United States
January 8, 2007 11:16am CST
I am thinking about getting gastric bypass surgery. I was wondering if any has personally had this done and how hard it was. I am nervous because in my reading about it I find that it sounds very difficult and trying. Please help.
3 responses
• India
8 Jan 07
intestine. You will feel full more quickly than when your stomach was its original size, which reduces the amount of food you eat and thus the calories consumed. Bypassing part of the intestine also results in fewer calories being absorbed. This leads to weight loss. The most common gastric bypass surgery is a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In normal digestion, food passes through the stomach and enters the small intestine , where most of the nutrients and calories are absorbed. It then passes into the large intestine (colon), and the remaining waste is eventually excreted. In a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples or a plastic band. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). This procedure can be done by making a large incision in the abdomen (an open procedure) or by making a small incision and using small instruments and a camera to guide the surgery (laparoscopic approach) What To Expect After Surgery This surgery usually involves a 4- to 6-day hospital stay (2 to 3 days for a laparoscopic approach). Most people can return to their normal activities within 3 to 5 weeks. Gastric bypass surgeries may cause dumping syndrome. This occurs when food moves too quickly through the stomach and intestines. It causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. These symptoms are made worse by eating highly refined, high-calorie foods (like sweets). In some cases you may become so weak that you have to lie down until the symptoms pass
@crystalc (289)
• United States
8 Jan 07
Thank you, very good information. I know it will be good for me, it is just hard for mr to make such a life changing decision.
@inked4life (4224)
• United States
8 Jan 07
A friend of ours had it done recently and it is a drastic lifestyle change. You not only have to control what you eat but also portion size. It has worked out great for our friend who has lost a little under 150lbs
@crystalc (289)
• United States
8 Jan 07
That's awsome for your friend. I know it takes a lot of courage to make such a life change. I'm just trying to find it.
• United States
8 Jan 07
my sister is getting this suregery but has talked to a lot of people who have already had it. If you do get it just know that you will be saying goodbye to sweets since you throw up any sugar that you take in.
@crystalc (289)
• United States
8 Jan 07
I know, I read about that. I am not looking foward to that part, but I just want to be healthy for my and my families better quality of life. That makes it worth it to me. :)