Is Gastric Bypass Surgery a Good Weight Loss Solution?

Over the years, more overweight people are turning to surgery to help reduce and control their weight. Seen as a drastic option for most patients, weight loss surgery can involve serious complications and risks.
What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery involves dividing the patient’s stomach into two parts. This causes food to bypass the larger part of the stomach and instead, travels straight from the smaller part of the stomach to the intestines.
The procedure limits the amount of food you can digest and eat which then results in weight loss because fewer calories are consumed.

Is Gastric Bypass surgery suitable for everyone?

No. Potential patients should meet the following criteria:
• Be extremely obese with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 40 or above OR have a BMI of 35-39, accompanied by a weight related health issue.
• Be unable to lose weight through diet and exercise alone.

What are the risks and bad points of having Gastric Bypass Surgery?
As with all surgical procedures, there are risks of complications and negative points such as:
• Risk of post-surgery infections
• Strain on an already overworked heart
• Gastric Bypass surgery is incredibly expensive
• Patients are required to modify their lifestyle habits for the surgery to be a success.

Conclusion
Opting for any surgical procedure is not a decision that should be taken lightly due to the risk of complications associated with anaesthesia and the possibility of infections. Recovery may be painful and it can take a long time to fully heal and resume a normal routine which is not ideal for most patients. Additionally, not all overweight patients are eligible for the surgery.

Cost is also a negative factor with many people simply being unable to afford such a procedure. When these points are considered alongside the fact that ultimately, the patient has to dramatically change their attitude towards food and eating, gastric bypass surgery can seem like a bad idea.

The first option for anyone trying to lose weight should always be a healthy eating plan and regular exercise regime. This traditional method does not involve the same risks of a surgical procedure or the expense. For dieters who need extra help in shedding pounds, weight loss supplements and diet pills are another option. These may carry some risks of side effects, but these dangers are usually considerably less than those associated with weight loss surgery. In summary, Gastric Bypass surgery should only be considered as a last resort and only after all other options have been considered and medical advice has been given by a healthcare professional.