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Gastric bypass surgery is an operation performed to help people who are seriously overweight. To qualify for the surgery, a person generally must be at least 100 pounds overweight and/or have a body mass index of 40 or higher. A person may also have a lifer-threatening or disabling condition due to their weight.

In a gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is made smaller, so you feel full sooner. That way, you eat less food. The food also bypasses part of the small intestine, so fewer calories are absorbed.

The surgery is performed by making a small pouch at the top of the stomach, using staples or a plastic band. The smaller stomach is then connected directly to the middle part of the small intestine (the duodenum). Food therefore bypasses most of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine.

The surgery may be performed through a large incision in the abdomen, or it may be performed through a several small incisions with a small camera to guide the surgeon (laparoscopic gastric bypass). The surgery is performed under general anesthesia.

The surgery itself takes about four hours. It usually involves a three to five day hospital stay.

People who have gastric bypass surgery usually loss 50 60% of their excess weight within one to two years. Some of that weight may be regained, however. It is important to maintain a healthful diet and exercise program following the surgery.

The surgery can also improve or resolve problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol.

There are a number of risks associated with gastric bypass surgery.

There is the risk of death from the surgery. Death occurs in as many as one in 200 to 300 cases.

Blood clots in the legs may also occur. These can be dangerous because they may travel to the lungs. Walking after surgery can help reduce the risk.

There can be leaking at one of the staple lines in the stomach. This is treated with antibiotics. Sometimes it heals on its own, but sometimes it requires additional surgery.

Rarely, there may be a narrowing of the opening between the stomach and the small intestine. This may be treated on an outpatient basis by inserting a tube through your mouth, down your throat, and into the stomach to widen the opening, or it may require surgery.

As you can see, there are a number of benefits as well as a number of risks associated with gastric bypass surgery. Talk with your doctor for more information and to find out if the procedure is right for you.

Learn more about this author, Kelly Morris.
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