What is Gastric Bypass surgery?

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 connection redirects the food, bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine, the duodenum. Food enters directly into the second section of your small intestine, the jejunum (jay-JOO-num), limiting your ability to absorb calories. Even though food never enters the lower part of your stomach, the stomach stays healthy and continues to secrete digestive juices to mix with food in your small intestine.



How does the gastric bypass surgery promote weight loss?

Gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller and allows food to bypass part of the small 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.



What are the advantages of Gastric Bypass Surgery?

• Right after surgery, most patients lose weight quickly and continue to lose for 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Although most patients regain 5 to 10 percent of the weight they lost, many maintain a long-term weight loss of about 100 pounds.
• Surgery improves most obesity-related conditions. For example, in one study blood sugar levels of 83 percent of obese patients with diabetes returned to normal after surgery. Nearly all patients whose blood sugar levels did not return to normal were older or had lived with diabetes for a long time.

Many individuals report having developed a newfound sense of well being after weight loss surgery. People who undergo weight loss surgery can usually expect:

• Improvement in or elimination of conditions associated with morbid obesity, including adult onset diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and arthritis and joint problems.
• Improved ability to engage in physical activity
• A loss of 50 to 70 percent of that weight above the ideal body weight. This loss usually occurs during the 18 months following surgery.
• Maintenance of this weight loss.

Am I a good candidate for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

• If you are between 18 to 60 and have a BMI over 40
• If you have a BMI between 35 and 40, and have obesity-related medical complications, such as diabetes, heart disease, or sleep apnea.

and


• If you have failed to lose weight by non-surgical means (weight loss programs, diets, etc).
• If you are willing to commit to a lifelong change of proper diet, exercise

You may be a good candidate for the surgery.

If you are interested in weight loss surgery and want get the expert opinion about your candidacy for the surgery, fill up the obesity surgery eligibility form and send it to us.

How do I know what kind of surgery is the best for me?

Your surgeon will work with you to determine what type of surgery is best for you.

How long is the average recovery period after Gastric Bypass surgery?

You would need to stay in the hospital for about three to four days.  Typically, it'll be about a week to ten days before you can go back to work, and about a month to six weeks before you can start exercising again.



How much weight and how fast can I expect to lose weight with Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Weight loss after gastric bypass surgery is often dramatic. On average, patients lose 70- 80% of their extra weight. Right after surgery, most patients lose weight quickly and continue to lose for 18 to 24 months after the procedure. Although most patients regain 5 to 10 percent of the weight they lost, many maintain a long-term weight loss of about 100 pounds.



What health conditions show improvement with Gastric bypass Surgery?

Well, over 70 to 80% of patients with hypertension will be off medications and well over 90% of patients with type II non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus are expected to be off medication. Drastically improved, if not completely resolved includes sleep apnea, asthma, joint pain, arthritis, reflux, fatigue, shortness of breath and an overall increased sense of well-being.

There is expected to be a significant reduction in risks of heart disease, pulmonary disease and cancers. Morbid obesity can reduce the lifespan as much as 20% in a given patient, depending on their age and co morbid problems. There is also a significantly improved quality of life and self-esteem in patients who have undergone gastric bypass procedure for weight loss.

"answered all my questions and gave me the confidence to travel all the way to India for my treatment." Halona, USA

What diet and lifestyle do I have to follow after the surgery?

You won't be allowed to eat for one to three days after the surgery so that your stomach can heal. Then, you'll follow a specific progression of your diet for about 12 weeks. The progression begins with liquids only, proceeds to pureed and soft foods, and finally to regular foods.

With your stomach pouch reduced to the size of a walnut, you'll need to eat very small meals during the day. The amount you can eat gradually increases, but you won't be able to return to your old eating habits.

After few weeks, it would be relatively easy for you to enjoy a small meal.  Eat only three meals a day.  Establish regular mealtimes.  Your diet should consist of solid food, mostly meat, including poultry and fish, and vegetables, in very small quantities.  Take very small bites, chew all your food well, and eat slowly.  A meal should take at least thirty minutes to an hour to consume.  DO NOT drink liquids 30 minutes prior to a meal to 30 minutes after a meal, and no drinking during the meal. Drinking during the meal will cause a sensation of pressure in the chest that is uncomfortable and can cause the food to backup.

Take the time to relax just before, during, and after mealtime. Between meals, it is advisable to drink five or six glasses of water, coffee, or tea without sugar or non-carbonated diet drinks to maintain your fluid intake. Do not drink liquids that are high in calories. Remember, if you take in extra calories between meals, weight loss will be slower and you will not achieve the weight you desire.

Exercise after Gastric Bypass Surgery

Exercise is important in the recovery from any operation.  Walking is one of the most effective forms of exercise for this purpose.  A regular exercise program is highly recommended.  Begin with very short walks several times a day and gradually increase the distance.  Walking also improves muscle tone while you are losing weight.  Do not, at first, engage in strenuous exercise.  For example, do not lift more than ten pounds at a time.  About six weeks after surgery, you should be able to tolerate all but the most strenuous exercises.

Do not sit or stand in one place for a long period of time.  Light housekeeping chores may be performed when you feel you are able.  Driving a car is usually permitted one week after surgery.  Sexual activities may be resumed unless otherwise specified.

Most people are able to return to light work after ten days and to heavy labor after six weeks.  The time of your return to work will depend upon the physical demands of your job and the rate of your recovery.

Having bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure and is one that should be considered carefully. The following steps can help you prepare you for surgery and the changes that you will go through.

• Educate yourself about bariatric surgery. Learn everything you can about bariatric surgery.
• Make lists of the following:
• A complete diet history of all diet attempts.
• Medications (both prescription and over-the-counter) and the dosages you take.
• Foods you like and those you can not tolerate.
• Medical records, especially any recent cardiac stress testing, to minimize repeat tests.
• Start making important changes in your eating and exercise habits. Doing this can help prepare you for the life changes that you will need to make after surgery. These are some of the necessary dietary and behavioral changes that you need to start:
• Drink at least 64 ounces of water daily.
• Switch from caffeine to decaffeinated beverages
• Keep a detailed written food diary.
• Eat at least three meals per day and avoid snacking in between. Don't worry about the calories for now, focus on the behavior.
• Begin a walking program if able.
• Stop smoking. Smoking slows the healing process and may cause respiratory problems after surgery. If you need help, ask your doctor.
• Write down your feelings every day to remind yourself of your commitment to begin a new and healthier lifestyle and the alternatives if you don't.
• Attend support groups. Having an environment that is filled with support and encouragement is necessary for any patient that undergoes bariatric surgery.

Having bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure and is one that should be considered carefully. The following steps can help you prepare you for surgery and the changes that you will go through.

• Please fill the enquiry form and weight loss surgery eligibility form for our surgeon to asses if you are a good candidate for the surgery.
• Your case manager will get in touch with you with the details and our expert surgeon’s opinion shortly after we receive the filled forms.
• You would need to undergo few pre operative screening tests. It is advisable to get the tests done in your country.
• About two weeks before your LAP-BAND surgery, the surgeon will have you begin a special diet. The pre-op diet is important because it is designed to get your body ready for surgery and make recovery easier. You will need to lose fat around your stomach and liver, as well as shrink the liver itself. The diet helps reduce potential bleeding that can accompany surgery by reducing fatty triglycerides from around the liver and spleen. A primary part of the pre-op diet is a protein supplement. Myocel, a protein powder, is designed to lower the fat content of the liver, maximize recovery, and promote weight loss. Myocel can be mixed in with skim milk, water, fruit juice, or fat-free yogurt. Foods that will need to be decreased in your diet include high-sugar foods, high carbohydrate foods (including bread), fats (such as butter), fatty meats, fried foods, whole milk products, and alcohol. Your diet will be limited, but foods that may be included are yogurt, fruit, cereal, eggs, oatmeal for breakfast and lean meat or fish with green vegetables for dinner. Pre-op diets may vary between surgeons and patients, but you should always follow the recommendations of your doctor. You would be asked to quit smoking a few days before the surgery.
• You can choose to combine the procedure with a spa treatment or Ayurveda rejuvenation package or side trip in India before the surgery.
• The case manager would make a detailed itinerary for you, with the quote.
• Please make a deposit to secure the booking for you.
• The case manager keep in touch with you regularly with the pre op diet plan and surgeon’s instructions.