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Gastric Bypass Surgery

Straight Answers for People Seriously Considering Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass (Home)
Straight answers for People Seriously Considering Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass
Risks

No, it's not a perfect solution; here's what can go wrong

Gastric Bypass
Side Effects

Living with this solution can be challenging

Visco-Fiber Pill
Similar results without the risks of surgery; Safe & effective alternative gets little attention

Gastric Bypass
Alternatives

Is any option as crazy as surgery? Try before you scoff.

Gastric Bypass Books
Some of the best reading on the subject is collected here


Items of Interest...

How does the procedure work?

Gastric bypass surgery reduces the patient's stomach to about the size of a shot glass. A line of staples forms a small pouch that is cut off from the rest of the stomach.

Laparoscopic technology - used in a number of different surgical procedures - is gaining in popularity in gastric bypass as well. The old method was to slimply cut the patient's abdomen open and get to it. Now surgeons can use a small opening through which customized tools fitted with a special camera can snake their way through to where the action needs to take place. This laparoscopic approach reduces scarring and allows faster recovery.

Another new technology - gastric banding - is also gaining in popularity. Approved in 2001, this technique uses a silocon band to form the pouch instead of staples. Weight loss is slower for patients who opt for this route, but bands are more easily reversible - which can be an important benefit considering some of the potential risks and side effects. The band can also be adjusted if the pouch turns out to be the wrong size or to provide better nutrient absorption.

Are you a candidate?

Generally, patients with a body mass index (BMI) - which is a measure of how much you weigh per unit of height, sort of like pounds per inch but scaled differently - of at least 35 can be considered for gastric bypass surgery if they are suffering serious health issues brought on by overweight. The minimum BMI for patients in better health is around 40. The table below will give you an idea of the minimum weights for your particular height.

Height
Min Lbs, with Health Issues
(BMI 35)
Min Lbs, no Health Issues
(BMI 40)
Feet
Inches
5
0
179
205
5
1
185
212
5
2
191
219
5
3
198
226
5
4
204
233
5
5
210
240
5
6
217
248
5
7
223
255
5
8
230
263
5
9
237
271
5
10
244
279
5
11
251
287
6
0
258
295
6
1
265
303
6
2
273
312
6
3
280
320
6
4
288
329
6
5
295
337

Of course, BMI is not the only consideration and in some cases is misleading, but generally that is where the conversation starts.

An Expensive Alternative

Prices for gastric bypass surgery vary from about $20 to $50 thousand, depending on your choice of surgeon and facility. Obviously, shopping for a bargain should not be your primary motivation in selecting your care providers. However, it may be worth while looking into getting your surgery in a region where prices are lower, provided - of course - you can arrange for the proper after-surgery care you will need.

Additional surgery can jack the price tag even higher. Many patients will also require - or desire - skin removal surgery after losing weight. Some patients (about 20%) have to undergo additional surgery to take care of complications from the bypass. Obviously, all this adds more to the cost.

Insurance compance companies have been moving all around on whether they are going to cover gastric bypass surgery. First it looked like many were moving in that direction, as more and more obesity is considered as a disease by the medical profession.

However, the dramatic spike in claims associated with this procedure has given some pause. The poor are overrepresented among the ranks of the overweight, and it seems that insurance coverage for the procedure opened a flood gate of patients who held off on the surgery because they could not afford it. The medical community, swiftly getting used to the hefty revenues associated with these procedures, is quickly putting financing options in place to fill the gap.