Roux en Y Gastric Bypass Surgery is of one of the most common operative procedures performed for weight loss, but is it safe? Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery is done by creating a small stomach pouch, about a size of an egg, with a stapler device. The small intestines are then divided and one end brought up and connected to the small stomach pouch using the stapler, then the intestines are reconnected. It results in weight loss mostly by reducing the size of the stomach so you cannot eat as much, and partly by bypassing some of your small intestines so you absorb less fatty foods. This operation is accepted by obesity surgeons and the major obesity physician societies as being effective in weight reduction and maintenance of weight loss.The expected weight loss of patients is between 80 and 140 pounds, but the exact amount of weight the person will lose will depend on the compliance with the dietary instructions and commitment to exercise. Most of the weight is lost during the first year.
Risks and Complications of Roux en Y Gastric Bypass
Bariatric stomach bypass surgeries are serious procedures with surgical and anaesthesia risks that are common to all types of serious operations. In addition, after undergoing a roux en y stomach bypass, patients may experience certain specific complications, as follows.
- Bowel Problems
Like Roux en Y Gastric bypass surgery, after all malabsorption surgeries, there is a period of intestinal adaptation where bowel movements can be frequent and liquefied. This bowel complaint that is frequently accompanied by gas, bloating and foul smelling stools may reduce with time, but is a permanent condition.
- Risk of Stomach-Staple Failure
In all bariatric procedures involving transection of the stomach using a line of staples, Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery carries a risk of staple-line failure. Complications include leaks from the stomach-staple breakdown, stoma stenosis and marginal ulcers.- Risk of Dumping Syndrome
This occurs when food such as sugar or highly refined foods, in the stomach pouch is digested too quickly and passes too fast into the small intestine. This can also be caused by the overly large amount of food. This is not a health risk, but symptoms such as nausea, feeling of fainting, sweating and diarrhea can be very stressful for patients.
- Hypoglycemia
Hypoglycemia or simply low blood sugar occurs in patients after eating meals and is also a form of the dumping syndrome. This often occurs after consuming sweets, but can occur in some patients who eat common foods that are rich in carbohydrates such as potatoes, rice, bread, and pasta. This can usually be controlled or prevented with diet modifications.
- Risk of Nutritional Deficiencies
Roux en Y gastric bypass results in ingested food bypassing the main digestive tract, including the small intestine and a specific length of proximal large intestine. Gastric bypass patients have an added risk of developing vitamin B12 and iron deficiencies. Calcium and Vitamin D absorption may also be reduced since the small and large intestines are the sites of absorption. After Roux en Y gastric bypass, a lifetime program of supplementary multi vitamins especially vitamin B12, Iron and calcium is required for all patients.
- Behavioural Changes
Any bariatric surgery results in significant behavioural changes and emotional stress such as depression, emotional and Social Issues and “Cross Addiction”. Many patients utilized food prior to surgery to deal with emotions. After surgery, foods are taken away and people may struggle emotionally which may worsen depression and in rare instances lead to suicide if untreated. Patients may have been so emotionally dependent on food to deal with emotions that they switch to another “behaviour” such as drinking alcohol, gambling, or having multiple sexual affairs after surgery; which is called “cross addiction”. This may require counselling and therapy or rehab to learn healthy ways to solve and focus on eliminating these issues. Lastly, bariatric surgery may place stress on relationships and marriage, as one partner undergoes a dramatic change and the other mate feels threatened and insecure, which can cause disharmony on the relationship and will eventually lead to separation or divorce after surgery.
Complications after Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Approximately 10-20% of patients require follow-up surgeries to correct complications
- Almost half of obese patients who had gastric bypass surgery develop gallstones
- About 1 in 3 patients who had gastric bypass surgery develop nutritional deficiencies
- Complication rates increases from 5-10% or more in early post-operative period, such as infections, leaks, ulcers and deep thrombophlebitis.
Gastric Bypass without Surgery
Roca Labs Formula is a safe alternative for gastric bypass. It works in a very simple way, creating a natural gastric bypass effect in the stomach by occupying it leaving only a small stomach space for food intake. The person is eating less throughout the day so that's how he loses weight. The average weight loss when using this formula is 15 lbs a month, approximately losing 3-4 lbs a week which is natural and healthy way of losing weight. There is no risk, complications and using it is much safer than having the surgery.
