Gastric Bypass Surgery - The Pros & Cons

By Tara Fraser

Stomach stapling, or gastric bypass surgery, is a major surgical procedure performed on morbidly obese patients (at least 100 pounds overweight) who have tried other methods of weight loss and failed. While some may think of it as taking the “easy way out,” there are many cons to undergoing this procedure.

What happens with gastric bypass surgery?

A surgeon creates a pouch using the top part of the stomach (where it meets the esophagus) and this pouch can only hold between one to three ounces of food at a time. At the bottom of the pouch, an opening that is about ¾ inch wide is created to run directly to the small intestine. This allows the body to absorb vitamins and minerals ingested.

This pouch starts off being able to accept only a tablespoon of food but eventually grows enough to be able to accept up to one cup of food, so patients who undergo this surgery will feel fuller much faster than they used to.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #1
You’ll fit into average sizes
You will no longer need to wear men’s clothes nor will you have to shop at specialty stores. You will be able to walk into any store in the mall and get yourself a great wardrobe.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #2
You’ll feel more confident
As the weight begins to drop, people will no longer look at you as though you’re abnormal and you can fit into society as just another woman who doesn’t need two seats on the bus.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #3
You’ll lose weight fast
If you undergo this surgery, you will lose weight drastically at first, and will eventually begin to lose approximately 10 pounds per month for up to 18 months.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #4
You’ll lower your health risk factors
By dropping the weight, you will reduce your risk of having Type II diabetes, heart failure and other serious ailments associated with being morbidly obese.

Pros of gastric bypass surgery #5
You’ll make lifestyle changes
Because you’ll be losing weight so quickly, your energy levels will rise because you have less weight to lug around. And you will be required to watch what you eat, how much you eat, and will need to follow an exercise regime.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #1
You may need aesthetic surgery
Drastic weight loss may result in your skin’s loss of elasticity. If skin begins to droop from your thighs or your stomach, surgery is required to resolve the problem.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #2
You can’t eat more than one cup
Most people who end up morbidly obese don’t become that way because they were hungry all the time. Usually, it’s a case of emotional eating, and although your stomach might be telling you it’s full, your brain may be telling you to eat, and it might be difficult for you to make the mind/body connection right away.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #3
You may experience complications
Although the surgery is considered relatively safe, sometimes it may lead to further complications including internal bleeding, infections and respiratory problems. Make sure you go over the procedure and possible issues that may arise with your surgeon before deciding to go through with it.

Cons of gastric bypass surgery #4
You’ll pay $15,000 to $20,000 US
If the gastric bypass surgery is not covered by your insurance, this procedure could cost a pretty penny. And unless the chances of your dying are quite high, insurance companies usually won’t cover the expense.

Celebrities who had gastric bypass surgery

You’ve certainly heard of obese celebrities who underwent this type of surgery, such as Star Jones, Roseanne Barr, Carnie Wilson, Randy Jackson, and Al Roker. And what you may have noticed is that most of them didn’t become “skinny.” The reason for that is because they didn’t dedicate themselves to an exercise and diet regime.

Al Roker made significant changes in the way he looked because he was committed to keeping the weight off, but if you see him now, it looks as though his stomach managed to stretch out and he’s back to his old habits.

Keep in mind that it is rare for anyone to acquire something easily and appreciate it.

So before you decide that gastric bypass surgery is right for you, make sure that you’re ready both mentally and physically to make the necessary changes to stay healthy for life.