Furthermore, since the gastric bypass
has been performed for almost 50 years, surgeons have become very
comfortable with the understanding of the risks and benefits of the
procedure. By sheer volume of cases combined with the volume of scientific
research, the gastric bypass has become the "gold standard"
operation for weight loss in the U.S.
Gastric bypass surgery
should always be accompanied by an exercise regimen.
The length of hospital stay after
gastric surgery varies, but usually lasts 2-7 nights. Gastric bypass
is overwhelmingly successful, with many patients losing over 100 pounds
within the first 18 months following surgery.
Undergoing a gastric bypass requires patients to commit to a new
lifestyle. They will no longer be able to eat large portions of food at
one sitting, nor will they be able to eat foods high in sugar or fat,
which often result in gastric dumping syndrome, an unpleasant feeling of
faintness caused by the sudden absorption of these foods in the shortened
digestive tract.
Other symptoms of "dumping" include feeling and looking flushed and some
patients may feel jittery. Due to the limited amount patients can take in
at any one time, they must constantly drink small amounts of water or risk
dehydration.
Weight loss after bariatric surgery is described as Percent Excess Weight
Loss (%EWL). Excess weight is defined as a person's actual weight minus
their ideal body weight (IBW). IBW can be estimated by the formula:
Men: 106+6*(height in inches-60)
Women: 100+5*(height in inches-60)
Example:
So, for a 5'5" woman, her IBW = 100+5*(65-60) = 125 pounds
If that woman weighs 325 pounds, her excess weight is 200 pounds.
If that woman loses 100 pounds, she has lost 50% of her Excess weight (%EWL=50%).
Gastric Bypass (Lap Band)
After a gastric bypass, the reported long-term weight loss varies
from person to person. We can only estimate the amount of weight loss.
Also, keep in mind that many weight loss operations, including the gastric
bypass have significant weight loss in the short term. Long-term weight
loss is much more important. On average, the %EWL after 6 months, 1year
and 2 years will be 50, 70 and 80 percent. The average patient is female
with a BMI of 48. There is significant variation, such that 95% of people
will have lost between 95% and 60% of excess weight at 2 years.
So, a woman who weighs 325 pounds who is 5'5" has a gastric bypass.
She would be expected to lose 160 pounds at 2 years. However, she could
lose as much as 190 pounds, or as little as 120 pounds. There is one
predictive factor in guessing how much weight a person will lose. Patients
who are very heavy and patients that are only slightly overweight, often
lose weight at a predictably different rate. For instance, a patient who
weighs 600 pounds, will never achieve a weight close to ideal with any
bariatric operation. That person may lose 300 pounds, losing 60% of excess
weight. Furthermore, a patient who weighs only 220 pounds would be
expected, on average to lose a higher percentage of excess weight that a
person weighing 320 pounds. That is, the skinnier you are, the more likely
you can achieve a weight closer to your ideal.
It is normal and expected to gain some weight back after 2 years. The
amount of weight regain is difficult to predict. One person may not regain
any weight; another may regain 30 or more pounds. On average, patients
regain 10-15% of their excess weight back in the long term.
Source: Wikipedia |
