For people who are obese, gastric bypass surgery is a way for them to lose the weight needed to live a healthy life. This surgery is a major medical procedure that has numerous considerations. It is of vital importance for the patient and his family to understand the considerations prior to him being admitted into the hospital for the procedure.
- When a patient goes to a surgeon for a consult about the gastric bypass, she will have to give the surgeon a detailed medical history. Once that is done, the surgeon will usually place her on a strict diet until the surgery date. This serves three purposes. First, it gives the patient a glimpse into eating after the surgery. Second, it helps her to lose weight before the surgery because every pound lost makes the surgery safer. Lastly, if she follows the plan, it shows the surgeon that she is serious about losing weight. If the patient fails to lose weight or doesn't attempt to follow the plan, the surgeon may cancel the surgery.
- Once the patient is under the general anesthesia for the surgery, a tube is placed into his nose and threaded through the digestive tract into the stomach. The contents are suctioned out. The surgeon will then cut the stomach to make a new stomach pouch that is considerably smaller. The nasal tube will then be placed into this new pouch to suction any bile or liquids out of the stomach while the staples begin to heal. This is usually removed shortly after surgery. Sometimes, a second tube is placed into the pouch to the outside of the abdomen, where it will stay for 4 to 6 weeks.
- A hospital stay of 3 to 5 days is usually all that is required after gastric bypass surgery. However, if there are complications from the surgery, including infection or unstable vital signs, the stay may be longer. During your time in the hospital, you will be monitored very closely. In most cases, you will receive nutritional counseling to teach you the proper dietary habits to minimize some of the side effects of the surgery.
- Besides losing weight, there are other side effects you should be ready for. Vomiting, nausea, dry skin, fatigue, hair loss and soreness are all common after a gastric bypass. Over time, these side effects should go away. However, if they seem to be getting worse or if they last more than 3 months, you should contact your doctor.
- There are very serious side effects of gastric bypass that the patient and his caregivers must be aware of. If any of these symptoms manifest, a trip to the emergency room is in order. Blood clots in the legs may occur. These are signaled by hot, painful spots in the leg. Dumping is a condition in which vomiting occurs immediately after eating. A trip to the ER is in order if this happens to you for two meals in a row. Dehydration is possible, characterized by tacky skin and lethargy. And, as is the case with any major surgery, death is a possibility. This usually occurs as a result of an anesthesia reaction.
