Bariatric Surgery FAQ

Gastric Bypass Facts

Gastric Bypass Facts - Bariatric Fusion

Gastric Bypass surgery is a type of bariatric, or weight loss, surgery. These procedures make surgical changes to your digestive system so that you consume less food, have fewer calories, and lose weight.

Some of the procedures limit the amount of food that you can eat and others limit the number of nutrients and calories that your body can absorb. Some procedures do both.

Bariatric surgery can be a life-changing procedure for severely overweight individuals who struggle to lose weight with traditional weight loss methods.

This article will assist you in understanding how bariatric surgery works, the different types of surgery available, gastric bypass and other surgical facts, and how much the surgery will cost.

What This Article Covers:

Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Always Work?

There is no guarantee that bariatric surgery will maintain weight loss. However, most patients usually lose a significant amount of weight, improve quality of life, and decrease or resolve obesity-related health conditions.

Weight loss outcomes will depend on the type of bariatric surgery you have. Some procedures will restrict calorie intake, absorb less nutrients, or present with a combination of both.

Unfortunately, bariatric surgery is only a tool for weight loss. Some people regain some of the weight they lost. This depends on the type of surgery and the commitment to a healthy diet and regular exercise routine for life.

Gastric bypass long-term results depend on adherence to the advice your health care team provides and ensuring that you make healthy dietary and lifestyle choices after surgery.

How Does Bariatric Surgery Work?

Certain types of bariatric surgery decrease the stomach’s storage capacity and prevent it from stretching to its full size. This allows you to feel satisfied after less food and consumption of fewer calories.

Other types of surgery bypass parts of the gastrointestinal tract in order to decrease the number of calories and nutrients you absorb. This is how gastric bypass surgery works.

Most operations are performed laparoscopically (keyhole surgery). This means that the surgeon will make a few small incisions into your abdomen, insert cameras and tools in order to perform the operation with minimal scarring.

Some Important Facts About Gastric Bypass Surgery

Obesity is a Metabolic Disease

Obesity is not just a weight problem. It is a metabolic syndrome that usually results in a cluster of other conditions that occur together. Obesity is associated with many health conditions, including high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea.

Bariatric Surgery Treats This Metabolic Disease

Bariatric surgery allows you to feel full after eating less food, decreases your caloric intake, changes gut hormones, and allows you to lose weight easier.

Obesity Health Risks are Higher Than the Risk of Bariatric Surgery

You are more likely to decrease life expectancy from obesity-related health conditions than undergoing bariatric surgery.

Surgery Treats Obesity-Related Health Conditions

Bariatric surgery promotes weight loss and can improve conditions like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, and sleep apnea.

Gastric bypass surgery can cause long-term remission of type 2 diabetes and negate the need for insulin injections and oral diabetic medication for a few years after having surgery.

Surgery improves your overall cardiovascular health by decreasing your blood pressure and lowering your chances of developing heart disease and stroke in the future.

Surgery typically treats obstructive sleep apnea and decreases the need for a CPAP machine.

Fertility Can Increase During Your Child-Bearing Years

Obesity has been associated with reduced fertility. Your chances of pregnancy after gastric bypass greatly increases.

If you are still in your child-bearing years, then gastric bypass surgery can help to improve your fertility and increase your chances of falling pregnant. However, it is important to wait 12-18 months after surgery to even think about pregnancy in order to provide a healthy outcome for you and the baby.

Medical Insurance Pays for Bariatric Surgery in Most States

Bariatric surgery is very cost-effective in the long-term as it decreases and may even lead to remission of some obesity-related conditions. Overall improvement of health and wellness can lead to decreased costs. Insurance will cover most bariatric surgery procedures.

Recovery Time for Bariatric Surgery is Fast

Patients usually spend around 2-3 days in the hospital after having Bariatric Surgery. It may be up to 5 days or longer if complications develop.

Gastric bypass recovery time off work is about two weeks for a desk job and one month for a job that requires more movement or physical activity.

Recovery after gastric bypass surgery can be optimized by early mobilization and slowly increasing the amount of exercise that you do every day. Joining a gastric bypass forum can help in your physical and psychological recovery.

Gastric Bypass Revision Surgery is Available

When looking at long-term results, about 41% of bariatric patients experience weight regain by the 10 year follow-up after gastric bypass surgery.

If you are not satisfied with your results after surgery or you experience complications, gastric bypass revision surgery may be an option for you.

Gastric bypass revision can include reducing stomach size, performing another weight loss surgery, or adding an adjustable band. The surgery can correct excessive weight regain or solve a complication like heartburn after gastric bypass.

How Much Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Cost?

Bariatric surgery cost depends on multiple factors. These factors include the type of surgery that you have, surgical complications, and in which state of the US you have the procedure.

The cost of gastric bypass surgery can range from $15,000 all the way up to $35,000. The contribution that the medical insurance will pay also depends on which state you live in, and which insurance provider you use.

Some insurance providers, like Medicare and Medicaid, require a recommendation from a healthcare professional and certain criteria needs to be met in order to qualify for coverage. They may also require you to use specifically approved surgeons or health care facilities.

Additional costs after surgery include post bariatric vitamins, bariatric meal replacements, corrective bariatric supplements, and new clothing.

Contact your medical insurance provider to find out specific information about which surgeries are covered and what the requirements are to qualify for coverage.

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**This blog is for information and education purposes only. This information is not intended to substitute professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Please consult with your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions in regards to a medical condition. A qualified healthcare professional can best assist you in deciding whether a dietary supplement is suitable based on your individual needs.

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