Gastric Bypass Surgery is Reserved as a Last Resort

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, I am having gastric bypass surgery and I was wondering if this is the best surgery for me. Can you tell me about this surgery and what to expect post  opereatively?

Dear Margaret: Gastric bypass surgery is reserved as a last resort for persons who are morbidly obese. That is, persons with a Body Mass Index (BMI) grater than 40 Kg/m^2. The BMI is calculated by dividing the weight in Kilograms by the height in meters squared. Though not perfect, it is a good indicator of deciding appropriate weight for a person's height, 19-25 kg/m² is considered normal. Gastric bypass surgery is offered to persons who are morbidly obese who have attempted to lose weight by adjusting their diet and exercising but have been unsuccessful. Essentially, the procedure involves bypassing the stomach, which is a reservoir for food. This allows you to not eat as much food since the storage area has been significantly reduced. It is performed under general anesthesia and a short hospital stay is required.  It can be done as an open procedure or laparoscopically. Laparoscopic surgery offers a shorter recovery time. The procedure is not without possible complications including ulcers, wound infections, internal hernias and long term nutrient deficiencies. After surgery, you will have to adjust your diet and eating habits as well start an exercise program and take supplemental vitamins and minerals. You will also require continuous follow-up with your surgeon especially in the first 12 months following surgery.