Sunday, October 26, 2008

The Roux en Y Gastric Bypass Procedure

There are several different weight loss surgery options in today's medical field. Some patients may prefer the new lap band procedure, while others are opting for the Roux en Y gastric bypass operation. If you are someone who is overweight and you need more information about the Roux en Y surgery, then you are in the right place. In order to have this procedure performed, specific criteria must be met.

In 1993, the very first laparoscopic Roux en Y surgery was performed. It was clearly an improvement over the typical Roux en Y gastric bypass operation. Whereas the RNY meant a longer incision and a lengthy hospital stay, the laparoscopic RNY involves smaller incisions and you are home much faster. The recovery time is shorter as well. It is a weight loss surgery that has completely changed how operations are performed by a bariatric surgeon. But there are some things that you must consider before you undergo any weight loss surgery.

Before you can have the laparoscopic Roux en Y procedure you must first meet some basic requirements. The first is that you have a Body Mass Index (BMI) of forty or higher. If you have medical conditions that necessitate weight loss surgery, then you can have a BMI of thirty-five. You must also meet with a physician, therapist and a nutritionist to determine if you have the fortitude to withstand the rigorous lifestyle changes that must be met in order to be successful with this type of weight loss method.

These changes mean that you will no longer be able to eat the way you did previously. For the first few weeks you will be on an all liquid diet, with protein shakes. Later, you can progress to certain low diet soft foods. But there will still be foods that you will be unable to eat. Some post-operative patients find that they cannot handle certain red meats or dairy products on the gastric bypass diet. How well you tolerate the diet will be determined after the procedure and through trial and error.

One hundred and forty thousand operations were performed in 2005 and the number continues to climb. Weight loss surgery options have become the salvation for many people. If you are one of the many overweight people who have tried numerous diets and exercise programs, then the Roux en Y gastric bypass operation may be just what you need in order to lose that excess weight.

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