The Pros and Cons of Gastoric Bypass Surgery
Abstract
This research paper critically analyses Gastoric bypass surgery aiming at portraying the advantages and disadvantages of undergoing this medical procedure. Physiological functions of body organs are at times affected by our adopted lifestyles especially the feeding habits, health and fitness. These factors have a great effect on the body’s metabolic activities. In most cases the body’s metabolic rate is slowed down leading to accumulation of excess fats in the body which are very dangerous and need removal with immediate effect.
Introduction
Gastoric by pass surgery is a process in which excessive fats are removed from the body to prevent possible adverse effects due to accumulation of the fats. This procedure limits the amount of food one feeds on and also the amount of food that can be digested especially fats. Its application helps in weight loss and leads to lifestyle change that needs important decisions. For this procedure to be carried out, one has to be prepared psychologically because of the permanent changes that follow. The application of this procedure is favored over many others because it is relatively safe with few side effects. Food fed on by passes some digestive processes as the stomach is linked directly to the jejunum which means that the food does not pass through the duodenum thereby reducing absorption of calories.
Discussion
Gastric by pass surgery is an important health safeguarding technique which has helped many people to reduce excessive weight by about 55%. Like many other surgical procedures it has both positive and negative factors. These factors in most ways affect the lifestyle of a person after the procedure. Other conditions that are associated with this include type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, gastro esophageal reflux disease and obstructive sleep apnea. The main objective is to reduce the size of the stomach so as to limit the absorption of calories.
Pros
Gastoric surgery has been very important to the people who have been affected in that it is possible to prolong the lives of these people. Some people may have tried all the other weight losing activities which may not be successive and therefore this procedure remains as the last option. This has been especially important for people who are obese to reduce the excess weight thereby reducing life threatening conditions and diseases that are associated with morbidly obese condition for example diabetes, hurt burn, arthritis and venous disease. The procedure is relatively simple and safe because it does not involve open surgery with less time spent. Patients also heal relatively fast enabling them to return to their daily jobs and chores within a short period of time. Pain is greatly reduced after surgery and the patients do not require complex painkillers in order to suppress pain, in fact mild pain killer like paracetamol are recommended by the doctors. The reduction in the size of the stomach is also a key advantage in which the food being consumed and digested is decreased thereby reducing the amount of calories that are absorbed in to the body. Limiting the calories greatly enhances the reduction of heart disease problems like the cardiac attack which can easily cause death. The factors above have made it easy for people to be more fit by maintaining the weight they have always desired. Frequent Visits to hospitals declined for people who underwent this procedure because all the diseases and disorders associated with this condition were no more because the main cause had been eliminated.
Cons
The adoption of procedures such as Gastoric by pass is not always successful and is accompanied by some negative effects. This is because numerous lifestyle changes have to adopted for instance break down of food into very small bits especially after the surgery which may affect a person psychologically. Removal of some intestine part can lead to abnormal function of the small intestines where food is absorbed and also secretions which are vital in the digestion of food. This process is not reversible and therefore one has to prepare for the changes that will occur after the surgery. Reduction of stomach may cause difficult task of the body adapting to the new changes and the body at first may experience malnutrition cases. If by any chance there is strain of the cut and rejoined parts, they may tear apart causing serious consequences.
Another major limiting factor for those under go this surgical procedure is that there is no insurance cover to these people posing a huge risk to their lives. Also many people may be unable to pay for this without insurance cover because it is relatively expensive and they may end up living with these life threatening conditions even with the will to lose weight. There are also many other problems which in one way or another are linked to this for example kidney infections, future nutritional problems, intolerances of protein, milk, red meat, vitamins and minerals. Muscle emaciation and hair loss can also be observed in these persons.
Conclusion
The human body has to be maintained well for the normal physiological function of the body organs and tissues. If the body functions deviate from the norm then something has to be done to correct that condition to prevent future dangers. The procedures involved are at times very involving psychologically with long term lifestyle changes and need sober decisions for instance the Gastoric by pass procedure. A lot of psychological preparation has to be done to the patients outlining the advantages and disadvantages and the overall long term effects of such procedures.
References
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Mary, M. McGowan, C. Gastric Bypass Surgery: Everything You Need to Know to Make an Informed Decision. 2nd Edition. Mc-Graw-Hill Professional, 2004.
Terry, S. Weight Loss Surgery: A Lighter Look at a Heavy Subject. 2nd Edition. Trafford Publishing, 2004.