| Although diet and exercise are undoubtedly the | | | | done in any except the most severe |
| safest methods of weight loss available, and the | | | | circumstances. |
| preferred ones, they simply do not work for | | | | Candidates for Gastric Bypass Surgery |
| every person who tries them. As it becomes | | | | To be a candidate for gastric bypass certain a |
| clear that obesity causes or exacerbates some of | | | | person must meet several qualifications. First of |
| the most deadly of diseases, the importance of | | | | all, a person must have been obese for five or |
| reducing body weight becomes clear. However, | | | | more years. This indicates that the person's |
| not everyone is helped by and traditional methods | | | | weight cannot be lost easily. Second of all, a |
| of weight loss. For varying reasons, other surgical | | | | person must be between the ages of 18 and 65. |
| methods may be required to help a person lose | | | | Gastric bypass surgery cannot be performed on |
| weight. | | | | a person that is below or above this age group. |
| Surgical Alternatives for Weight Loss | | | | The third and fourth qualifications have more to |
| There are several surgical alternatives for weight | | | | do with a person's mental situation, then his or her |
| loss. These alternatives include gastric bypass | | | | physical one. The third qualification is that the |
| surgery and gastric band surgery. However, | | | | person must not be an alcoholic. Lastly, the |
| studies have shown that gastric bands not have | | | | person cannot have untreated depression or |
| the same level of benefits as gastric bypass | | | | other psychiatric disorder. |
| surgery, and in fact may have more complications | | | | What to Expect |
| involved. | | | | A person undergoing gastric bypass surgery can |
| Gastric band surgery involves the insertion of a | | | | expect to lose approximately one third of his or |
| band around a person's stomach, which divides | | | | her excess weight within the first one to four |
| the stomach into two parts. By placing this band | | | | years. Some of this weight loss may be regained |
| around the stomach, a person feels full far more | | | | if a person does not also attempt to change his |
| quickly and can hold less food in his or her | | | | or her habits after the surgery. |
| stomach. This surgery may have varying degrees | | | | There are many risks a person must undertake if |
| of success, although it may be considered less | | | | getting a gastric bypass surgery as well. First of |
| drastic than gastric bypass surgery. | | | | all, as with any other surgery, there is a risk of |
| Gastric bypass surgery involves the creation of a | | | | infection. There's also a risk of ulcers or a hernia |
| smaller stomach pouch which bypasses directly | | | | developing. Nausea and vomiting after eating can |
| into the digestive system, skipping part of the | | | | also be side effects of gastric bypass surgery. |
| small intestine. This surgery can be either | | | | Any person considering this type of surgery |
| laparoscopically or through a large incision the | | | | should consult his or her doctor regarding these |
| stomach. This type of surgery generally involves | | | | and other risks. |
| a four to six day stay in the hospital. It is not | | | | |