What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery shrinks the size of your stomach, so you can't eat as much as you used to. The surgeon will also re-route, or bypass, part of your digestive system so you don't absorb as much food.

There are several types of gastric bypass surgery in Iran:

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: This is the most common gastric bypass surgery done in Iran. Surgeons can do it through a small cut, which has a quicker recovery time than more complicated surgery.
First, the surgeon makes a small stomach pouch by stapling part of the stomach together or by vertical banding. This limits how much food you can eat.
Next, the surgeon attaches a Y-shaped section of the small intestine to the pouch. That creates a bypass for food, so it skips part of your digestive system. As a result, you absorb fewer calories and nutrients.

Extensive gastric bypass (biliopancreatic diversion): This is a more complicated type of gastric bypass in Iran. The surgeon removes the lower part of the stomach. He then connects the small pouch that remains directly to the last part of the small intestine, completely bypassing the first two parts. It works for weight loss, but it's not widely used because it has a high complication rate and can leave you short on nutrients.

Benefits

Gastric bypass surgery in Iran is done to help you lose excess weight and reduce your risk of potentially life-threatening weight-related health problems, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux disease
• Heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Severe sleep apnea
• Type 2 diabetes
• Stroke

Gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries in Iran are typically done only after you've tried to lose weight by improving your diet and exercise habits.

Risks

As with any major surgery, gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries pose potential health risks, both in the short term and long term.

Risks associated with the surgical procedure can include:

• Excessive bleeding
• Infection
• Adverse reactions to anesthesia
• Blood clots
• Lung or breathing problems
• Leaks in your gastrointestinal system
• Death (rare)

Longer term risks and complications of weight-loss surgery vary depending on the type of surgery. They can include:

• Bowel obstruction
• Dumping syndrome, causing diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
• Gallstones
• Hernias
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)
• Malnutrition
• Stomach perforation
• Ulcers
• Vomiting
• Death (rare)

How you prepare

If you qualify for gastric bypass or other weight-loss surgeries, your health care team gives you instructions on how to prepare for your specific type of surgery. You may need to have various lab tests and exams before surgery. You may have restrictions on eating and drinking and which medications you can take. You may be required to start a physical activity program and to stop any tobacco use.

You may also need to prepare by planning ahead for your recovery after surgery. For instance, arrange for help at home if you think you'll need it.

What Can You Expect After Gastric Bypass Surgery in Iran?

After gastric bypass and other types of weight-loss surgery, you generally won't be allowed to eat for one to two days so that your stomach and digestive system can heal. For the first month, you will only be able to handle small amounts of soft food and liquids. But gradually, you will be able to add solid foods back into your diet. You will notice feeling full very quickly – after eating about two tablespoons of food. Your physician may also recommend that you take nutritional supplements.

You'll also have frequent medical checkups to monitor your health in the first several months after weight-loss surgery. You may need laboratory testing, blood work and various exams.

Within the first two years, you can expect to lose one-half to two-thirds of your excess body weight. Weight loss will continue, in most cases, for a year and a half before stabilizing.