The journey to becoming a patient of New York Bariatric Group generally starts when someone becomes frustrated with repeated, failed attempts to lose weight. We treat adults and adolescents who have struggled with obesity, and often also have health conditions associated with extra weight.
Beginning Your Journey
Gastric Bypass Journey
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What is Gastric Bypass?
The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure is usually performed laparoscopically (i.e. keyhole surgery with a telescope). In this gastric bypass operation, the stomach is completely divided with a stapler to leave a pouch that initially measures only 25 mls. The small bowel is divided and the divided end is brought up and joined to the small stomach pouch. The other small bowel end is joined back onto the small bowel about a meter down from the stomach. Thus the whole stomach is bypassed apart from a tiny pouch. This operation works in two ways:
- Restriction: the small pouch restricts the volume of food you can eat at one meal.
- Malabsorption: the reconfiguration of the small intestine, results in some of the food you eat passing through the intestine without being absorbed.
What Are The Advantages Of Gastric Bypass?
Gastric bypass is an effective weight-loss operation in most patients (the operation is the tool, in the end, success is dependent on how well the tool is used). Advantages of gastric bypass:
- More rapid weight loss than banding
- The discomfort of dumping offers a useful deterrent to eating high calorie food and drinks
- Long track record- the gastric bypass operation has been around in various forms for 30 years
- No foreign object to break or erode
- Most patients lose 60-70% EWL over 2 years
Gastric Bypass and Diabetes
Diabetes is a leading cause of death in the United States, so it is important to recognize that the gastric bypass can be a particularly good choice for patients who have type 2 diabetes. In studies, patients with diabetes who undergo gastric bypass surgery experience a remission of their diabetes, often within a day, after their operation. This is particularly interesting because there is no way that the weight loss over a few days could lead to remission of diabetes. There appears to be a physiological change that happens from gastric bypass surgery that may treat diabetes. Although this is not the case for all patients, those with diabetes should be considered for gastric bypass surgery. According to the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS), approximately 80% of patients who have gastric bypass surgery go into remission of their type 2 diabetes.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Gastric Bypass?
Disadvantages of gastric bypass:
- This procedure has a slightly higher serious complication rate than some of the other operations because of multiple staple lines and bowel connections that can potentially leak.
- There is a need to take oral supplements of iron, vitamins, and calcium for life, and some patients will also need Vitamin B12 injections.
- Recovery time is slightly longer than after other procedures.
How to Get Started?
- The Insurance experts at the New York Bariatric Group will verify your insurance benefits for you free of charge.
- The first step is to call or contact us to make an appointment with one of the experienced surgeons at the New York Bariatric Group.
- As a candidate for bariatric surgery, you can expect to undergo a series of consultations and evaluations. A detailed comprehensive program has been developed to ensure your long-term health and safety pre-and post-surgery.
- Dr. Garber explains how you can initiate the process to become a new healthier you.
- You will receive extensive patient education from our psychologist who will perform a psychological evaluation that is required by the hospital and most insurance providers.
- Meet with our registered dietitian to discuss healthy lifestyle changes pre- and post-weight loss surgery.
- Participate in studies to determine your pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and cardiovascular health. You can usually complete this entire work-up in one day in our office.
- After the workup is completed you will meet with your surgeon for a second visit to be scheduled for surgery. Our insurance experts will then obtain approval from your insurance company.
- You will be scheduled for preadmission testing at the hospital. During this testing, you will meet our bariatric coordinator who will give you a complete educational class on how to prepare for surgery, what will happen when you arrive at the hospital on your surgery day, as well as what to expect when you go home from the hospital.
Day of Surgery and Recovery
It is important to remember that The New York Bariatric Group and its affiliate Bariatric Center has been recognized as a “MBSAQIP and its Accredited Center-Comprehensive”. This designation provides the public with the assurance that our practice provides complete care for patients before, during, and after bariatric surgery, and that we have a proven track record verified by an independent review organization.
Based on this designation, we have proven that your hospital stay will provide all that is necessary for a fast and pleasant recovery. From our full time bariatric nurse coordinator to specialized equipment that is needed to fulfill the needs of patients post-bariatric surgery, including bariatric chairs, beds, gowns, and other specialized equipment, our program is designed solely for the purpose of the bariatric patient.
The surgery usually takes only 75-90 minutes and is performed under general anesthesia. You will usually spend two nights in the hospital. On the first morning after the surgery you will undergo a GI series to make sure everything looks good. You will then be started on a liquid diet. On postoperative day two, you will start on a pureed diet. Once you are tolerating pureed food you will be discharged home.
Recovery Period
The recovery period after Gastric Bypass surgery is usually about 2 weeks until you can return to work.
Lifestyle Changes After Gastric Bypass Surgery
After Bariatric Surgery Lifestyle Changes
Adjusting to your post bariatric surgery diet and lifestyle is one of the most important keys to your long-term success. Develop healthy daily nutrition and exercise habits. Connect with your fullness cues. Avoid reverting to old habits that led to poor health, fatigue, depression, and attempts at binge eating. Making a commitment to lifestyle change will bring fast & substantial weight loss. Let us show you how.
Is permanent weight loss after bariatric surgery possible? Absolutely! But you aren’t going to find weight loss success by merely having restrictive weight loss surgery. Get thin quick schemes are a dime a dozen. They are usually costly plans that promise fast weight loss. They work too – temporarily. The problem with fast weight loss plans alone is they are not long-term solutions to losing weight and keeping it off.
Tips To Avoid Feeling Deprived While Dieting (Even Before Entering Our Program)
- Learn and adhere to a sensible diet plan
- Focus on making a lifestyle change, rather than looking for a quick fix
- Find a new and exciting way to stay motivated
- Indulge in your bariatric treats once in a while
- Find enjoyment in activities other than eating
- Reward yourself for reaching weight loss goals, but not with food.
- Connect with friends and ask for support
- Be accountable for your eating, even on your down days.
- Eat small meals at specific schedules to avoid feeling hungry
- Don’t skip meals
- Create lighter versions of your favorite meals that you can enjoy eating
Post-Surgery Diet
Post-bariatric surgery diet guidelines are fully discussed with patients during their comprehensive nutritional evaluation prior to surgery. Patients follow a Stage I diet for the first 4-6 weeks after surgery. This includes all foods that are soft