Sometimes when we look at ourselves in the mirror, we don’t like what we see. Our modern lifestyle does not exactly engender healthy living for normal people. The convenience of fast food combined with a sedentary lifestyle is not exactly conducive to a healthy life. Obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic in in terms of how it has spread. A lot of people are trying to be more fit, of course, with diet and exercise. However, sometimes, that’s not enough. This is where a gastric bypass comes in.

Having weight-loss surgery is quickly becoming an increasing trend among people who find that they just can’t seem to lose weight. This might have come about because of a combination of lifestyle choices, genetic predispositions and physical problems, but the results are still the same: stubborn flab that doesn’t seem to go away or even in some cases, incredibly overweight individuals. For people like these, a gastric bypasss is often their only hope.

What exactly is a gastric bypass? This is a simple process in which stomach capacity is lessened and a large part of the intestinal tract is skipped in the digestive process. It may sound complicated but it is actually the simplest weight-loss surgery that is possible. There are actually several variations of gastric bypasses but the most common type is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In this type of gastric bypass, a pouch is create at the top of the stomach using surgical staples sometimes this pouch is as small as a walnut. Then the stomach pouch is connected to the middle part of the small intestine, the jejunum.

All of this can be done by either an open procedure, where in the whole abdomen is sliced open, or by making a small incision in the side of the abdomen and using small tools and a camera to do the procedure, a process that is sometimes called the laparoscopic approach. An open procedure can be actually very dangerous and is also subject to longer recovery times; this is why the laparoscopic approach is often advised.

Of course, this is all a major surgical procedure and you can’t just have your digestive tract messed with. You can only be qualified for this procedure if you have been obese for five years, in which you have tried everything to lose weight, are not alcoholic, and not suffering from any psychiatric disorder. An age limit is also set for procedure only individuals from 18 to 65 may have a gastric bypass.

It may all seem like a done deal: just hop onto the operating table and you’ll be well on your way to svelteness. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. A gastric bypass is a four hour operation followed by a five day recovery period, in which the patient is observed. Liquids will be the only source of nourishment for him during the observation period. Afterwards, there will be a twelve week regimented diet that will take him from liquids to solids so that the patient’s new stomach may handle it. There will also be side-effects: a smaller stomach means less food which means less energy overall you’ll be lethargic until your body learns to cope. Also, you may experience pain and vomiting after eating too much or too fast.

A gastric bypass looks like a great shortcut to slimness but it’s a lot more difficult than it may seem.

Tags: Abdomen, Bypasses, Digestive Process, Epidemic, Fast Food, Flab, food;, Gastric Bypass, Genetic Predispositions, Incision, Intestinal Tract, Jejunum, Laparoscopic Approach, less energy, less food, Lifestyle Choices, obesity;, Overweight Individuals, pain;, Part Of The Small Intestine, Psychiatric Disorder, Roux En Y Gastric Bypass, Sedentary Lifestyle, Small Tools, Staples, Stomach Pouch, vomiting, Weight Loss Surgery —

Gastric bypass surgeries are the most common bariatric surgical procedures performed, nowadays. Bariatric surgical procedures is the term used to refer to weight-loss surgeries. There are more and more people who are choosing to have the procedure to avoid the risks brought by morbid obesity.

There are numerous benefits by getting a gastric bypass surgery. Those who have undergone the surgery were expected to lose about 50 to 60% of their weight. Most of the patients would say that they reached the lowest point of their weight two years after their surgery.

In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery could also resolve health issues associated to obesity. They could improve or lessen the risk of Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, sleep apnea, asthma, arthritis, joint pain, and even heart disease and cancer.

Those who have undergone gastric bypass surgical procedures are also exposed to risks and complications just like in any other surgery. When considering getting this kind of weight-loss procedure, it is not only the benefits that you would have to know but also its risks and dangers.

Pulmonary Embolism is a condition where blood clots developing in the legs which can get carried off to the lungs. There are techniques which can be performed to prevent this kind of condition to happen like using surgical compression stockings.

Peritonitis is also another condition when stomach fluid leaks into the abdominal cavity or where the intestine is connected. There is a need to immediately seal the leak before it becomes a serious condition.

Ulcers can develop among patients, 5 to 15 percent of the time.

It could also result to hernia or incision hernia which is a weakness in the incision. It would often require surgical repair.

There are situations when the stomach moves too fast for the small intestine. This is often referred to as the dumping syndrome. It is often accompanied with nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and sweating.

Vitamin and mineral deficiency are also possible complications of the surgery like anemia and vitamin D deficiency.

It could also cause problems in the kidney like kidney stones.

Gallstones could also be a result of this operation.

Stomach ulcers could also develop but this could be managed by the usual treatments used for ulcers.

Women who went through the procedure are recommended to avoid pregnancy for at least two years after the surgery. Pregnant women are required to take nutritional supplements like vitamins and minerals to get the proper nutrients for her and the baby.

Gastric bypass surgeries are not recommended for everybody. It is often recommended to those who have a BMI of 40 or those who weigh more than a hundred pounds. Everybody who would be undergoing the procedure would have to take a mental exam, for those who eat due to emotional problems are likely to fail in losing weight.

Gastric bypass surgeries have 2% of fatalities, one percent due to complications and the other one percent would brought by the failure of the patients to follow the dietary restrictions following the surgery. Before undergoing the procedure, it is important to understand these consequences and be prepared to change our lifestyle.

Tags: Abdominal Cavity, anemia;, arthritis;, asthma;, Blood Clots, cancer;, Compression Stockings, diabetes;, diarrhea;, Dizziness, Downside, Dumping Syndrome, Fluid Leaks, gallstones, Gastric Bypass, Gastric bypass surgeries, Gastric Bypass Surgery, GBP;, Health Issues, heart disease;, hernia, High Blood Cholesterol, high blood pressure;, Incision, Incision Hernia, Joint Pain, Kidney Stones, Mineral Deficiency, Morbid Obesity, Nausea, Nausea Vomiting, obesity;, Peritonitis, Pulmonary Embolism, Sleep Apnea, Small Intestine, Stomach Ulcers, surgery, Surgical Procedures, Type 2 Diabetes, Vitamin D, vitamin D deficiency, vomiting, Weight Loss Surgeries —

Obesity is a serious health problem across the globe. That is why a number of methods, techniques, and technologies have been developed to help curb weight problems that usually lead to life-threatening diseases such as heart ailments and diabetes. One of the most popular weight loss strategies is gastric bypass surgery, a procedure that alters the digestive system (particularly the stomach) to restrain a persons food intake.

The results of the surgery are immediatea patient may lose 50 to 60 percent of his weight within two years following the surgery. With healthy lifestyle (including proper diet and regular exercise), one can expect weight loss in the long run after the surgery. Those who are overweight will experience easier mobility and better quality of life after undergoing weight loss surgery.

But theres more to this surgery than just weight loss. Aside from slashing off some figures from the weighing scale, the surgery also helps improve certain conditions that are often linked to obesity. These health problems include high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, high blood cholesterol, and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Thus, people who have gone through weight loss surgery are less likely to develop cardiovascular problems than those who have not tried the procedure. Also, the surgery can lessen a patients possibility of death due to heart ailment, diabetes, or cancer.

Now for the not-so good news. Weight loss surgery is not for the faint of hearts. As with other kinds of surgeries, weight loss surgery leads to several complications. If you will go through this procedure, you need to know the risks before you head over the clinic or hospital. Being aware of what to expect after the surgery helps a lot in your recovery process. The most common complications of the surgery include infection, bleeding, and swelling. Other complications are ulcer, low blood sugar, kidney stones, gallstones, iron deficiency anemia, and vitamin D and B-12 deficiency. After the operation, a patient may also experience vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, and dizziness especially when eating foods rich in sugar and fat. These are caused by a condition called dumping syndrome in which the contents of the stomach pass through the small intestine very fast.

There are certain postoperative risks that occur in rare cases but are severe and need immediate medical attention. The following are some of the complications and tips on how to deal with them.

1. Leak in the stomach

This is found at one of the staple lines in the stomach. The leak heals over time in most cases, though it can be treated using antibiotics. But severe cases require immediate surgery.

2. Thinning of the opening between the small intestine and stomach

This condition needs either a corrective surgery or a simple outpatient procedure wherein a tube is inserted through the mouth to make the opening wider.

3. Incision hernia or weakness in the incision

This complication happens if the surgery is an open procedure that involves a large incision on the abdomen. Incision hernia needs to be repaired through surgery depending on the severity of the condition.

4. Death

For every 200 to 300 weight loss surgeries, one case results in death. Although the risk of death has been linked to gastric bypass surgery, it still depends on many factors such as age and health and medical conditions.

Tags: Antibiotics, Bypass Surgery, cancer;, Cardiovascular Problems, Curb Weight, deficiency, diabetes;, diarrhea;, Diseases, Dizziness, Dumping Syndrome, food intake;, gallstones, Gastric Bypass Surgery, Gastric Bypass Surgery Obesity, Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease, Healthy Lifestyle, Heart Ailment, Heart Ailments, High Blood Cholesterol, high blood pressure;, Incision, Incision Hernia, infection, Iron Deficiency, Iron Deficiency Anemia, Kidney Stones, Low Blood Sugar, Nausea, obesity;, persons food intake, Proper Diet, Sleep Apnea, Surgeries, surgery, Type 2 Diabetes, Vitamin D, vomiting, Weighing Scale, Weight Loss Strategies, Weight Loss Surgeries, Weight Loss Surgery —

Many people aren’t quite at the point where they need (or want to spend the money on) a full face lift. While these procedures are not a substitute for a full lift, they can provide a nice tightening and overall smoother, firmer look. For these reasons a “weekend face lift” may be the perfect option.

Since it only takes a few days to recover from this limited procedure you don’t have to take off work or miss out on any of your daily routines, hence the nick name.

It is less costly than than a full face lift and won’t do quite as much for you, but it is is also cheaper, a shorter recovery time and it allows you to still firm up the jaw line, the neck and the cheeks and lose some of that “jowly” look.

This mini face lift procedure works only on small specific areas of the face and neck, like the areas around the nose and the neck. The procedure is done by making small incisions and using endoscopic technology to firm up and reposition facial tissue. The end result is a much more taut, tighter look.

The biggest limitation to this type of procedure is that the forehead and brow line aren’t addressed at all. It only targets the lower part of the face, and for many people,that is all they need. This is often one of the first types of cosmetic surgeries people will have so they may not need as much work on other areas of their face.

This procedure is minimally invasive, much less invasive than the full face lift. Since only a small incision needs to be made, it not only heals more quickly, it is also much less expensive.

Before you go to have your “weekend face lift” done, make sure you spend some time to find a qualified surgeon. Even though this is a minimally invasive procedure, it still carries some risk (as all such types of procedures do) so you want to find the most qualified and competent surgeon you can.

Check out the credentials of any doctor you are considering as well as asking for referrals. Make sure you fully understand all possible side effects and ask for realistic idea of what you can expect, as well as what you won’t get.

Finding out just how much it will cost is very important too. Make sure you know exactly what will be covered as well as what won’t be. For example, are all medications covered or will there be an extra charge? What about follow up visits?

In most cases everything will be covered in the price, but it’s always best to ask so you know for sure, never assume.

If you don’t think you need, or just can’t afford, a full face lift, a weekend face lift may be a better alternative. You can get much improved muscle tone and firmness in your lower face and neck area. This may be a good first step before you go under the knife for a more comprehensive procedure.

Tags: Asking For Referrals, Brow, Cheeks, Competent Surgeon, Credentials, End Result, Face Lift, Facial Tissue, Few Days, Forehead, Incision, Incisions, Invasive Procedure, Jaw Line, Many People, Mini Face Lift, Mini Face Lift Procedure, Nick Name, Recovery Time, Risk —