Why is it that so many people feel
compelled to undergo surgery to lose weight? Not only is it potentially dangerous and life threatening, but having gastric bypass surgery
means that you can never eat normally again. How safe is it really, and why are people choosing this drastic alternative to the traditional "eat right and exercise" way of losing weight?
Gastric bypass surgeries are procedures that limit the amount of food that can enter the stomach. These procedures also reduce the amount of small intestine that food will pass through, lowering the quantity of food absorbed by the body. The idea behind a gastric bypass surgery is to promote rapid and sustainable weight loss in people that are morbidly obese.
Gastric bypass surgery falls under two basic categories. The more common variety is called a Roux-en Y gastric bypass surgery (RGB surgery). This form of the procedure involves stapling a portion of the stomach to form a smaller overall pouch, limiting the amount of food the stomach can hold. A portion of the small intestine is then reconnected to this pouch to bypass the upper parts of the small intestine. A much more serious and permanent procedure is the biliopancreatic diversion, or ‘extensive’ gastric bypass surgery. In this procedure, the whole lower part of the stomach is physically removed.
Regardless of the type, gastric bypass surgery is a very serious procedure with potentially damaging consequences. While it can be certain that you’ll lose a lot of weight after having one done, you are also at risk for some serious and harmful side effects. First of all, the reduced amount of contact between your food and small intestine can lead to serious nutrient deficiencies. A lack of vitamin B12 can lead to serious conditions, such as anemia, and a lack of calcium can lead to a number of serious bone diseases, including osteoporosis.
After having a gastric bypass surgery, you’re also at risk of stomach leakage. This is extremely dangerous, as the highly acidic nature of your stomach contents can damage and even dissolve the organs and tissues surrounding your stomach. There is also a condition called ‘dumping syndrome’ that occurs in some people who’ve had a gastric bypass surgery. Dumping syndrome occurs when food moves too fast through your intestines, and causes weakness, sweating, fatigue, nausea, and sometimes diarrhea.
Because of the serious side effects, gastric bypass surgery should be reserved for people who are both morbidly obese and have repeatedly failed all other weight loss attempts. Even though they are likewise risky, the use of serious weight loss medication should be attempted prior to a gastric bypass surgery. Unfortunately, there is a sort of rising trend in people who are turning to gastric bypass surgery as a solution to their weight problems before seriously attempting less drastic measures. There are many alternatives to gastric bypass surgery that should be made by anyone even considering it.
In our society we're so preoccupied with fast results, that we don't realize the benefits of taking our time and doing things the sensible way. If you're truly at the end of your tether, are suffering from morbid obesity, and are considering gastric bypass surgery, maybe you should think about booking into a "fat camp" or similar instead. You'll be exposed to a much healthier way of living, and taught exactly what you need to do to lose your excess weight.
