The Ins and Outs of Gastric Bypass Surgery

By now, we all know that there is surgery available for weight loss.  Weight loss (or bariatric) surgery is used in cases where the patient is considered obese according to medical standards.  Weight loss surgery is not performed for someone who needs to lose a relatively small amount of weight like thirty pounds.  There are less invasive techniques such as liposuction that may help in the reduction of fat cells for those who have gained weight in very localized areas and are looking for some help in reducing the accumulation of fat cells in those areas.

woman holding bypass surgery card

Actual weight loss surgery is a big commitment.  It is important to know that if you have medical coverage and your primary care physician determines that you are clinically obese, your insurance may cover the cost of your weight loss surgery.  You can find this information out from your insurance company. 

Weight Loss Surgery

A good bariatric surgeon will not just acquiesce to your weight loss surgery with no commitment on your part.  Generally, they will instruct you on how your eating habits will have to change.  They will also probably require you to lose a specific amount of weight prior to the surgery and participate in low-impact exercises, such as walking. This shows them that you are serious and are willing to put in the work to make the surgery successful. 

Weight loss surgery may seem like a magic pill, but it is not.  It still requires lifestyle changes on your part.  It definitely helps make those changes easier, but the surgery alone will not bring you the desired or needed weight loss.  Let’s look at the most well-known type of bariatric surgery, gastric bypass surgery, so that you can begin to think about whether or not this is the right surgery for you.  We will discuss other bariatric surgeries in an upcoming blog.

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is for those who have a very substantial amount of weight to lose.  With advances in the procedure, this surgery can now be performed laparoscopically or robotically.  This greatly helps with recovery.  Gastric bypass surgery consists of having a portion of your stomach stapled off, thereby, reducing the size of your stomach.  Additionally, this portion of your stomach is then attached to your small intestine, BYPASSING (hence, the name) most of the rest of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine.  This reduces the amount of fat and calories you absorb from food which lends to a more drastic weight loss.  With the reduced stomach size, you will be forced to eat smaller portions of food and will feel full when doing so.

Rapid Weight Loss in Melbourne, FL

This type of surgery has an excellent success rate with a low risk of regaining the weight.  If you are interested in gastric bypass surgery in the Melbourne, FL area, please contact us at Advanced Surgical and Weight Loss Institute.  Dr. Velarde is trained in the daVinci robotic surgical method.  Not all surgeons have gone through this training.  Dr. Velarde enjoys being on the cutting edge of his field (no pun intended!) and wants his patients to have the easiest and fastest recovery possible.  We are located in Merritt Island and are waiting for your call!  We look forward to meeting with you soon.