Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery Procedure
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In 2001 almost 50,000 patients had some type of obesity surgery with the number rising to 60,000 in 2002 and close to 100,000 in 2003. It has been estimated that in 2002 alone, gastric bypass surgery resulted in hospital revenue of more then two billion dollars.
Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery Procedure
Gastric bypass is a laparoscopic or minimally invasive procedure. During the gastric bypass operation, which requires a general anesthetic, a surgeon makes tiny incisions in the abdominal area and, working with a miniature scope, divides the stomach into two sections with two rows of stitch-like staples.
Between the rows of staples, the surgeon makes incisions so scar tissue will grow over the staples to secure them in place. The top section, called the pouch, holds the food (about a tablespoonful, compared to the normal stomach, which holds about a quart). The pouch will eventually expand enough to hold no more than one cup of chewed-up food, so you will feel full quickly.
Then, the intestines are detached from the bottom of your stomach, and attached to the pouch. Since the intestines are brought up and not shortened, the food can be fully absorbed, eliminating the chance of vitamin and mineral deficiencies, a problem with previous surgeries of this type.
The unused part of the stomach still produces gastric juices, which help the body absorb nutrients...