Is Gastric Bypass Really Necessary?

Sometimes when we look at ourselves in the mirror,
we don't like what we see.
Our modern lifestyle does not exactly engender healthy living for normal people.
The convenience of fast food combined with a sedentary lifestyle
is not exactly conducive to a healthy life.
Obesity is quickly becoming an epidemic
in terms of how it has spread.
A lot of people are trying to be more fit,
of course, with diet and exercise. However, sometimes, that's not enough.
This is where a gastric bypass comes in.

Having weight-loss surgery is quickly becoming an increasing trend
among people who find that they just can't seem to lose weight.
This might have come about because of a combination of lifestyle choices,
genetic predispositions and physical problems,
but the results are still the same:
stubborn flab that doesn't seem to go away or even in some cases,
incredibly overweight individuals.
For people like these, a gastric bypass is often their only hope.

What exactly is a gastric bypass?
This is a simple process in which stomach capacity
is lessened and a large part of the intestinal tract is skipped in the digestive process.
It may sound complicated but it is actually the simplest weight-loss surgery that is possible.
There are actually several variations of gastric bypasses
but the most common type is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
In this type of gastric bypass,
a pouch is created at the top of the stomach using surgical staples,
sometimes this pouch is as small as a walnut.
Then the stomach pouch is connected to the middle part of the small intestine, the jejunum.

All of this can be done by either an open procedure,
where in the whole abdomen is sliced open,
or by making a small incision in the side of the abdomen
and using small tools and a camera to do the procedure,
a process that is sometimes called the laparoscopic approach.
An open procedure can be actually very dangerous
and is also subject to longer recovery times;
this is why the laparoscopic approach is often advised.

Of course, this is all a major surgical procedure
and you can't just have your digestive tract messed with.
You can only be qualified for this procedure if you have been obese for five years,
in which you have tried everything to lose weight,
are not alcoholic, and not suffering from any psychiatric disorder.
An age limit is also set for procedure,
only individuals from 18 to 65 may have a gastric bypass.

It may all seem like a done deal: just hop onto the operating table
and you'll be well on your way to slimness.
Unfortunately, it's not that easy.
A gastric bypass is a four hour operation
followed by a five day recovery period, in which the patient is observed.
Liquids will be the only source of nourishment for him during the observation period.
Afterwards, there will be a twelve week regimented diet
that will take him from liquids to solids
so that the patient's new stomach may handle it.
There will also be side-effects:
a smaller stomach means less food which means less energy overall,
you'll be lethargic until your body learns to cope.
Also, you may experience pain and vomiting after eating too much or too fast.

A gastric bypass looks like a great shortcut to slimness
but it's a lot more difficult than it may seem.