Gastric Bypass Surgery for Weight Loss
Gastric bypass surgery procedures or roux en y bariatric surgeries are one of the most popular, successful, and commonly performed weight loss surgeries. Dr. Preeti Malladi is among the most skilled laparoscopic gastric bypass surgeons in Plano and Dallas Texas that performs gastric bypass
surgery to help a full range of patients who need extra assistance reaching a healthy weight.
What Is a Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass?
Many gastric bypass bariatric procedures are performed laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgeries offer tremendous benefits for patients with only a few risks. With laparoscopic technology, surgeons can use small incisions and a small camera to perform procedures that without it require much larger incisions. This minimally invasive approach to weight loss surgery means reduced pain and quicker recovery for patients.
In a laparoscopic gastric bypass, the patient’s stomach is divided into two sections, a small upper pouch portion and a larger lower section. Bariatric surgeon then connects the small intestines to the pouch, rerouting the digestive system. Food will travel down the esophagus and enter the smaller pouch, then proceed through the intestines, bypassing the majority of the original stomach.
How Does Gastric Bypass Work?
The Gastric bypass procedure decreases the size of the stomach and reroute the digestive system. A smaller stomach means you cannot eat as much. The rerouted digestive system means that your body does not absorb as many calories from the food you eat.
Patients often find that they feel less hungry after bypass surgery and their cravings for unhealthy foods are reduced. This is because the bypass reduces levels of hormones responsible for hunger that are released into the digestive system and affects nerves in the GI tract that communicate with the hunger centers in the brain.
Why Are Gastric Bypasses Used?
When you consult with Dr. Malladi’s team in North Texas, gastric bypass or roux en y surgery may be recommended if you have been unable to lose weight in spite of making all the right lifestyle changes. This procedure can help you by limiting food portions and reducing calorie absorption. Bariatric surgeries like this one are intended to help you incorporate healthy eating habits into your daily routine, thereby acting as a supplement to diet and exercise.
Who Is Eligible for Gastric Bypass?
If you have a body mass index (BMI) over 40 (or have 100 or more pounds to lose) and have not had success losing weight on a medically supervised weight loss program, you are likely eligible for gastric bypass. Alternatively, if you have a BMI over 35 and have a chronic weight-related health condition such as type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, high blood pressure, heart disease, etc., you are probably eligible for weight loss surgery. It’s best to meet with a bariatric surgeon like Dr. Malladi to make sure you are a candidate.
Gastric Bypass Recovery
The recovery from minimally invasive laparoscopic gastric bypass is shorter and easier than recovery from an open surgery because there are just a few, small incisions. Most gastric band patients find that they are able to go home after one or two days in the hospital. While the majority of patients plan on taking two or three weeks off of work to recover from their weight loss surgery procedures, a small percentage recover so quickly they feel good enough to return to work after just a week or so. It’s important to remember that everyone’s recovery will look different and you must listen to your body and take time to heal.
What Can I Expect After the Surgery?
The results of a gastric bypass can be dramatic. Within the first year, most patients can lose on average 60-80% of their excess weight. After a year to eighteen months, weight loss usually slows down and eventually stops, at which point consistent exercise and proper diet are needed to maintain a healthy weight. As you continue your weight journey, you will also see improvements in certain weight-related conditions, such as acid reflux, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and type 2 diabetes.
What Is the Recovery Time for Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Recovery time after a lap band procedure differs for every patient based on their individual health and fitness level and various other factors. After weight loss surgery, most patients are ready to go home after spending one to two days recovering in the hospital but your bariatric surgeon can recommend a longer stay if necessary. The recovery process continues at home for the next few weeks. Some patients find that they are ready to return to work the week following their surgery but the majority of patients take about two to three weeks off work.
Gastric Bypass Surgery in Dallas, Plano, & DFW Metroplex
Dr. Preeti Malladi is an experienced, skilled, and accredited bariatric surgeon helping North Texas. Patients who have gastric bypass surgery usually see dramatic weight loss during the first year after surgery if they are able to modify their lifestyle according to their doctor’s recommendations. Contact Dr. Malladi to start your journey.
