Bariatric surgeries are performed to help patients who cannot lose weight with a balanced and healthy diet and regular exercise lose weight. Gastric bypass surgery, which is one of the types of bariatric surgery, is preferred by many people today. Bariatric surgeries do not only treat the obesity problem of patients. These operations are also effective in the treatment of obesity-related diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, high cholesterol and other diseases. Thanks to bariatric surgeries, diseases that may develop due to obesity are also prevented. With gastric bypass and other bariatric operations, patients can enjoy a longer and quality life.
Today's bariatric operations are among the most well-understood procedures in advanced and modern medicine, having been conducted for decades. These surgeries may now be performed laparoscopically with very tiny incisions thanks to technological advancements. Patients receive less discomfort, a decreased chance of surgical complications, and a faster recovery time as a result of these advancements. Furthermore, the time spent in the hospital for these procedures is minimal. The goal of gastric bypass and other bariatric procedures is to reduce the capacity of the stomach in order to cure obesity and obesity-related disorders, or to do both and intervene in the small intestines.
Gastric bypass has been practiced for more than 50 years. Thanks to this method, which can also be performed laparoscopically since 1993, patients can lose weight effectively. Today, this operation is one of the most preferred methods in the treatment of obesity and obesity-related diseases. Gastric bypass operation is one of the bariatric operations that allows weight loss by changing the structure of the stomach and small intestine. After the application, the stomach shrinks and the patients start to feel full with a lower amount of food. However, patients need to prepare themselves for a new lifestyle after surgery. In order for the surgery to be successful, patients should adopt a lifestyle that includes regular exercise along with a balanced and healthy diet after the operation.
In gastric bypass operation, the stomach is reduced to consume less food. In this way, fewer calories are digested. The separated small part of the stomach connects directly to the small intestine. In this way, the absorption of food taken is also reduced. Most importantly, changing the flow of food through the gastrointestinal tract reduces the feeling of hunger and increases the feeling of satiety, while allowing the body to reach a healthy weight. Thanks to the effect of surgery on hormones and metabolic health, its positive effect on diabetes begins to be seen even before weight loss begins. However, these discomforts are also reduced in patients with reflux complaints. In addition to making good food choices after surgery, patients should also stay away from tobacco products.
Patients should try to lose weight with a balanced diet and moderate exercise for a period before undergoing gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass is preferable if this alternative fails. Patients who are scheduled for surgery should begin a physical exercise program weeks before the procedure, and smokers should stop smoking.
Patients should start a low-calorie liquid diet 1 - 4 weeks before the surgery. This diet usually includes 2 or more protein shakes per day and zero-calorie beverages such as water or unsweetened tea. Patients preparing for surgery can also consume a small amount of unsweetened coffee or grain-free soup, if the doctor deems it appropriate. Caffeine intake should be discontinued before surgery. For this reason, coffee consumption, even without sugar, must be within the knowledge of the specialist physician who will perform the surgery. The purpose of a liquid diet before surgery is to shrink the liver. In this way, the risk of liver damage during surgery is minimized. Only light colored liquids should be consumed 1-2 days before the operation. It is forbidden to eat or drink anything from 10 pm on the day before the surgery.
Patients using medication may need to stop taking some medications before surgery. Detailed information on this subject is given by the specialist doctor and anesthesiologist who will perform the surgery.
Patients lose between 4.5 and 9 kg in the first month after undergoing gastric bypass surgery. The rate of weight reduction slows down over time. Patients should follow the nutrition and activity regimen established immediately after the operation in order to lose weight and observe the effective consequences of the procedure. Approximately 70% of the extra weight can be removed one year following the procedure. Weight loss is rapid during this period since patients are only fed drink for a while and then puree for a while following surgery.
In addition, after the surgery, there is a positive improvement in the conditions of diseases such as asthma, gastroesophageal reflux, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea and type 2 diabetes. With weight loss, patients begin to perform their daily activities more comfortably. In order to lose weight in a successful and healthy way and to keep the risk of postoperative complications to a minimum, patients must strictly follow the nutrition and exercise instructions given by the specialist physician and dietitian.
Obesity is evaluated in different ways according to body mass index. Accordingly, people with a body mass index between 30 and 34.9 are considered obese. This range is level one obesity. People with a mass index between 35 and 40 are considered extremely obese. This part is level two obesity. Finally, people with a body mass index of 40 and above are also included in the third level, that is, morbidly obese. Bariatric operations are accepted as the most successful treatment method of morbid obesity. In addition, gastric bypass surgery is considered the gold standard in the treatment of morbidly obese patients. Although the success of the operation depends on the patient's adaptation to his new life after the operation, the success of gastric bypass surgery is up to 85%. In the first year after the operation, 70% of the excess weight can be lost. In order for the surgery to be successful and for the patient to get rid of both obesity and other obesity-related diseases, it is necessary to strictly adhere to the nutrition and regular exercise program after the surgery.
Gastric bypass operation is a serious operation and therefore carries many risks. Some of these risks are quite serious, so patients should give complete information about their health status to the specialist doctor. The surgery is performed with general anesthesia. For this reason, there are also risks that general anesthesia can bring. Allergic reaction to drugs, breathing problems, bleeding, blood clots, infection and various heart diseases may occur due to anesthesia.
In gastric bypass operation, diseases such as gastritis, heart inflammation or ulcers can be seen. In addition, there are risks such as leakage from the place where the stomach is closed, malnutrition and vomiting due to overeating. However, if you act carefully after the operation and follow the recommendations of the specialist physician, the probability of these risks is significantly reduced.
Gastric bypass procedure is applied to obese patients. In addition, there are some health problems that occur with obesity. Some of the health problems that may occur due to excess weight can be seriously life-threatening. Gastric bypass surgery is applied to patients with a body mass index of 40 and above. However, it can be applied to people who have a body mass index of 30 and above and also have serious obesity-related diseases. The risk of diseases such as gastroesophageal reflux, various heart diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, stroke, cancer and infertility increases significantly due to obesity.
Gastric bypass operation has some disadvantages as in all other surgical operations. The first of these is the application of the surgery. This surgery is more complex and challenging than sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band surgery. In addition, since the size of the stomach is significantly reduced and food absorption is greatly reduced, vitamin and mineral deficiency occurs more frequently after surgery. For this reason, patients should not skip vitamin and mineral support after surgery.
There is a risk of obstruction or complications in the small intestine after the operation. The risk of gastric ulcer increases significantly in patients who use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or smoke after surgery. Dumping syndrome can be seen after gastric bypass as in other bariatric operations. Especially after consuming sugary food or drink, the risk of developing dumping syndrome increases. For this reason, patients should stay away from sugary foods and beverages after surgery.
There are two different gastric bypass operations: Roux-en-Y and mini gastric bypass. In the Roux-en-Y method, a pocket with a volume of approximately 30 cc is created in the stomach from the junction with the esophagus. A connection is established between the newly formed pocket and the small intestine. This connection is also called Roux-en-Y. In this way, the stomach pouch and the rest of the stomach are bypassed.
In the mini gastric bypass procedure, a tube-shaped stomach is created with a similar method. This stomach is larger than the stomach in the Roux-en-Y method. The newly formed stomach is connected to the small intestine. In the mini gastric bypass procedure, the remaining part of the stomach is connected to the intestine from the same place in the newly created section. In this way, there is a single connection instead of two connections as in the Roux-en-Y method. Therefore, mini gastric bypass surgery is an easier operation than Roux-en-Y.
Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most preferred methods in bariatric surgery. There are many points of interest about these operations, which are considered the most successful obesity treatment.
The duration of hospital stay after the surgery usually varies according to the general health status of the patient. In general, patients are expected to stay in the hospital for 3-4 days after surgery. Depending on the condition of the patient after the operation, this period may be shorter or longer.
Patients should avoid lifting heavy loads after surgery. Especially heavy load on the operation area can cause serious problems. Therefore, patients should avoid heavy loads in the 5-6 week period after surgery.
Patients should not drive for at least two weeks after surgery. It is important for patients who go behind the wheel two weeks later to be careful that the seat belt does not put pressure on the surgery area. Patients who still feel discomfort after two weeks are advised to take a break from driving for a while.
Patients start to lose weight immediately after surgery. Especially in the first months when only liquid and then pureed foods are consumed, weight loss is quite rapid. However, the amount of weight lost decreases over time. If a permanent diet and exercise routine is adopted, approximately 80% of the excess weight is lost 1 or 2 years after the surgery.
Eating habits of patients completely change after gastric bypass surgery. Since this change occurs not only in the amount consumed, but also in the food consumed, it is possible to see differences in intestinal motility for a while after the surgery. Consuming fluids after surgery helps to relieve constipation. However, when the consumption of solid puree and solid foods is passed, fruit consumption helps to prevent constipation.
Patients should stay away from sugar-containing foods and beverages in order to avoid dumping syndrome. Patients are expected to stay away from sugary foods not only in order to prevent dumping syndrome but also in terms of success of the surgery and healthy weight loss after the surgery.
