Basics About Gastric Bypass Surgery In Mexico

By Christa Jarvis


Gastric bypass surgery is a form of surgical procedure which involves dividing the stomach into two portions and then reconnecting the two portions to the small intestine. The dividing of the stomach is done in a way that there is a smaller upper section and a bigger lower section. Currently there are many procedures that can be used to reconnect the small intestine to the two stomach pouches. Gastric bypass surgery in Mexico comes in several variations suitable for different applications.

This procedure is suggested for people suffering from morbid obesity. People settle for it when they are unable to control their obese situation through normal methods such as dietary efforts and exercise. It is a last option recommended when obesity has proved to be life threatening or causing adverse effects on the quality of life. Obesity that is treated using this method is normally one in which one weighs 100 pounds more than the ideal body weight according to life insurance companies.

Morbid obesity is corrected by gastric bypass surgery through two major effects. The first effect is through the reduction of the total volume of stomach that is functional. Reduced functional stomach volume reduces the amount of food that can be held and digested by the stomach. With reduced digestion, absorption is also reduced hence the overall body weight.

The second effect caused by this procedure is altering the response food receives from the body and the stomach. There is a difference in how patients feel when they eat food after undergoing the surgery. The stomach feels full after taking a small amount of food. This feeling can last for weeks, but it changes slowly as the pouches enlarge to accommodate more food. It is rare for a person to become obese again after undergoing the procedure.

Mini, distal, and proximal gastric bypass are the three major variants of this surgery. Of all the three, proximal is more commonly practiced than the others. It has wide application in the US than any other surgical procedure meant for correcting morbid obesity. In 2008, morbid obesity was corrected in over 200, 000 patients using this procedure. Food is allowed to flow via the Roux limb from the small intestine after the small intestine is rearranged into a Y-configuration.

In the distal variant, the Y-connection is moved down the gastrointestinal tract reducing the total surface area available for absorption of food. The smaller absorption surface area is traded for increased efficiency in the absorption process. The absorption of fats, starches, certain minerals, and vitamins that are soluble in fats is highly impeded. This impeded absorption of minerals leads to a constant loss in weight over time.

This procedure is also not without complications. People have been known to over stay in hospitals receiving treatment following the procedure. Some patients also die from the operation. Complications are heightened by pre-existing medical conditions like heart disease, diebetes mellitus, and obstructive sleep apnea among others.

Complications may occur immediately during operation or later on. Mortally tends to increase over time with most cases being observed during the first thirty days. When seeking to undergo this procedure, it is advisable to go for a surgeon with a lot of experience in this field.




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