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  • Q&A with Australian Health Practitioners

    What are some of the health benefits of gastric bypass surgery?

    Related Topic
    Obesity
    What percentage of weight loss can I expect? Does it drastically reduce the likelihood of encountering other comorbid conditions?
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    Lisa Renn

    Dietitian

    Lisa is an APD with 12 years experience, specialising in helping people identify and change habits that impact negatively on their health. Inspiring change, Lisa … View Profile

    Hi there,
    Gastric by-pass surgery can help people lose 60-70%of their excess weight.Weight loss of this magnitude it has been shown to decrease conditions such as Type 2 diabetes and have major improvements in sleep apnoea, blood pressure and joint problems.
    This is life changing surgery- not only form a health perspective but also from a lifestyle perspective.
    It is major surgery and has risks associated with it and will also mean you will have to change your eating and lifestyle habits in order to feel well and lose weight.
    Operations of this type are tools for weight loss not cures for obesity.
    It's really important that you are well informed as to how your food intake will need to change following surgery and that you are linked in with an Accredited Practising Dietitian to help you before and after surgery.
    Good Luck!

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    Melissa Yip

    Dietitian, Nutritionist

    Experienced accredited practicing dietitian (APD) with more than 10 years of practice. Happy to help with nutrition issues and chronic disease management. Lover of delicious … View Profile

    I agree with Lisa - gastric bypass is not for the faint-hearted and one should definitely follow up with a dietitian before and most importantly after surgery.

    Gastric bypass is one of the most intensive forms of weight loss surgery as it not only removes a significant portion of your stomach, but it also bypasses (skips) a large portion of your small intestines; meaning you absorb less calories as the food you eat is quickly shuttled into your colon. Sounds great, but this also means that a lot of important nutrients like calcium or vitamin B12 don't get absorbed as well, and can lead to conditions like osteoporosis or nerve problems. Usually a strict regime of vitamins and vitamin injections are needed for the rest of your life.

    Its also worth remembering that having the surgery in itself does not always equate to changes in lifestyle or behaviors that lead to weight gain.

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    Mr Ramez Bassari

    Bariatric (Obesity) Surgeon, General Surgeon, Laparoscopic Surgeon, Upper GI Surgeon (Abdominal)

    Mr Ramez Bassari is a specialist surgeon in the fields of Bariatric (Obesity/Weight Loss), Upper Gastrointestinal (reflux, stomach, oesophagus), Laparoscopic and General Surgery - including … View Profile

    Hi, gastric bypass is one of the options of weight loss surgery. Bariatric surgery has been shown to improve a variety of medical conditions including type 2 diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure. These improvements are frequently seen even before significant weight loss has occurred.

    As a ball park figure, most weight loss surgery lead to a 50% excess weight loss. A roux-en-Y gastric bypass has frequently been shown to have a greater weight loss than this. There is also a "honeymoon" period for bariatric surgery and weight loss.

    As previously mentioned, bariatric surgery is a tool for weight loss. Other aspects of life also need to be addressed e.g. physical activity and diet.

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