Gastric Bypass
Weight loss surgery for long-term results
At Auralia, we provide a full range of weight loss treatment options to our patients. We offer both surgical and non-surgical procedures that are tailored to suit your individual needs and desired outcome.
If you’re considering a gastric bypass then our team of world-class surgeons and health care specialists would be honoured to be your trusted partner through your lifestyle changes.
At Auralia, patient care is always at the forefront of everything we do and when it comes to weight loss surgery Auralia is the leading provider in Ireland. We’re here to invest in your future and help you through your journey to your true self.
Commonly asked gastric bypass questions
What’s involved in a gastric bypass?
There are a lot of versions of the gastric bypass (or the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass) but they all do the same thing.
There are two main parts to the procedure:
- A small pouch is created to divide the top of the stomach from the rest of the stomach.Â
- The top part of the small intestine is cut and the bottom end is brought up and connected to the new pouch in the stomach.
The procedure is completed by connecting the top portion of the divided small intestine to the small intestine further down. This allows stomach acid and digestive juices to mix with the food and digest.
How does a gastric bypass work?
The gastric bypass works by three mechanisms.
- The small pouch restricts the amount of food that can be eaten during one sitting which means fewer calories are taken in.Â
- Re-routing the food stream by bypassing part of the small bowel causes a change in ghrelin (hormone for appetite). This causes a reduction in appetite helping you eat less and lose weight faster.Â
- The gastric bypass can help reduce an interest in high-fat foods, alcohol and sweets which lowers your consumption of high-calorie food.
What are the health benefits of a gastric bypass?
Gastric bypasses have a lot of health benefits but the most significant is how it improves high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, and other health problems associated with obesity.
Getting a gastric bypass procedure performed also has a positive impact on type 2 diabetes – sometimes reducing the need for diabetic medication and even reversing diabetes completely.
Are there any side effects of a gastric bypass?
A gastric bypass is an invasive operation and an experienced surgeon is a necessity when getting this procedure performed. Despite causing significant changes to the anatomy of your bowel and stomach 99.8% of patients do survive the procedure. In fact, a gastric bypass procedure is safer than getting your hip replaced.
With every surgical procedure, however, there are risks and the general risks of a gastric bypass include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Reactions to anaesthesia
- Blood clots
- Breathing problems
- Leakage
There are also some longer-term risks and complications of bypass surgery including:
- Dumping syndrome
- Gallstones
- Hernias
- Low blood sugar
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Bowel obstruction
What is dumping syndrome?
Dumping syndrome is a condition that can develop after undergoing a gastric bypass. It happens when sugars move too quickly from the stomach into the bowel.
If you have dumping syndrome then you’ll develop symptoms 10-30 minutes after eating. This can include both cramps and diarrhoea.
Some other people can have symptoms up to three hours after eating. These symptoms can include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhoea
- Flushing
- Dizziness
- Rapid heart rate
You can help prevent dumping syndrome by changing your diet after surgery. These changes can include eating smaller meals and limiting high-sugar foods.
Although dumping syndrome is common it only becomes a serious side effect in 5% of people. Some people even like it as it helps them avoid eating sweet foods and large meals.
How can you manage vitamin and mineral deficiencies?
Calories are usually absorbed as normal after a gastric bypass is performed but vitamins and minerals aren’t.
This is why it’s absolutely essential to take regular vitamin and mineral supplements after you’ve had bypass surgery performed.Â
If you don’t take daily supplements you could end up with serious health problems like anaemia, nerve damage or bone disease.
Some of the key supplements to take include:
- Vitamin B12
- Vitamin B1
- Vitamin D
- Calcium
- Iron
- Zinc
How do I know if I’m eligible for a gastric bypass?
In order to be eligible for bariatric surgery, your BMI should be over 45 or be over 40 with weight-related medical conditions.
You will also need to complete a surgical, medical, psychological and dietary evaluation before you’re approved for a gastric bypass.
If you have any questions about eligibility feel free to get in contact with our team today.
Have more questions? View our brochure!
If you’d like to download our brochure on weight loss treatments at Auralia, simply click here. You can print it or save it to read at your convenience.
Alternatively, you can call our team on 01 612 0551. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have or provide you with more information about a procedure.
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