Risks and Benefits of Roux-en-y Gastric Bypass – Complications and Advantages of Surgery

                                                                                         

The obvious benefit to any bariatric surgery is its ability to help the patient lose weight. But, what are the advantages and risks specific to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure?

Advantages of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
There is a reason that the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common weight loss procedure: more surgeons are familiar with it than any other bariatric procedure and it has some specific benefits. Some of the advantages of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass include:
• It greatly controls food intake, which leads to rapid weight loss.
• The average excess weight loss tends to be higher than the percentage loss using gastric banding.
• After one year, average weight loss is 77 percent of excess body weight.
• One study found that 95 percent of certain weight-related health problems were improved or resolved after surgery.
• Most, if not all, insurance providers cover this form of bariatric surgery for at-risk patients.

Risks and Complications with the Procedure
Unfortunately, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure can cause numerous complications. In addition to risks associated with all surgeries, including infection, this method of bariatric surgery has the following potential complications:
• Dumping syndrome (rapid gastric emptying)
• Ulcers
• Bowel obstruction
• Anemia
• Vitamin/mineral deficiencies (Iron, Vitamin B12, folate)
• Leak from stomach into abdominal cavity
• Surgical staple line failure
• Hernias
• Bloating or enlargement of bypassed stomach

Other disadvantages to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass include:
• A higher percentage of surgery (loss of less than 50% of excess weight)
• Longer operating time and recovery time compared to gastric banding
• Patients can regain weight if dietary changes are not followed for the long term

Speak with your bariatric surgeon to determine if the benefits of Roux-en-Y outweigh the risks for your circumstances. If it is not, there are other surgical options for weight loss for which you may be a better candidate. Just know that this is not the only option you have to lose weight through surgery.

About the author:
To learn more about Roux-en-Y surgery or Lap-Band surgery, visit a bariatric surgery office in the East Bay Area for a personalized consultation with a skilled surgeon.

Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com