There are many reasons for getting gastric bypass surgery in Lubbock, and they all relate back to losing a significant amount of excess weight. This procedure can lead to long-term weight loss and improved quality of life. But what’s the gastric bypass success rate? Let’s dive into the facts you need to know before you get this surgery.
What Gastric Bypass Does
To understand the successes and failures of gastric bypass, you need to know how the procedure works. Known as Roux-en-Y, it involves the following steps:
- Dividing the stomach into two portions, with one being about the size of a large egg. This becomes the functional stomach.
- Dividing the small intestine and bringing the bottom portion up to connect to the functional stomach.
- Attaching the top portion of the small intestine to a lower spot on the other portion as well as attaching this to the non-functional stomach (the part that is bypassed).
This accomplishes a few things. First, it makes the stomach smaller so the patient cannot eat as much. Second, it reduces the amount of ghrelin, the hunger hormone, produced by the body. Finally, the changes to the small intestine prevent the body from absorbing all calories consumed.
What Is the Success Rate of Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Gastric bypass success rates change based on how far out from surgery the patient is. In the first years, the success rate is extremely high, with the vast majority of patients losing 50 percent or more of their excess weight.
But gastric bypass is for life, and patients want their weight loss to last just as long as the alterations from their surgery. Unfortunately, at 10 years out, the success rate does fall, with about 25 percent of all patients no longer clearing that benchmark of 50 percent of excess weight loss.
What Causes Gastric Bypass Failure?
First, we need to note that this 75% success rate for gastric bypass is something to celebrate. Some forms of weight loss surgeries only have a 30% long-term success rate. Still, it is important to know why gastric bypass fails in some cases.
In truth, much of it comes down to the patient. Let’s go back to how gastric bypass causes weight loss.
- It creates a smaller stomach, restricting intake.
- It reduces caloric absorption.
Technically, you can work your way around both of these and continue to eat too much and gain weight. Some patients will overeat, even if it causes them pain, and stretch their stomach out over time. Others will eat small amounts of food constantly, consuming items high in fat and calories. Even with reduced absorption, if enough food is eaten, it will “beat” the system.
But this is good news. It means that if you are committed to success, gastric bypass should get you there. At West Texas Bariatrics in Lubbock, TX we offer patients a wide range of services, including this type of surgery. Contact us today if you would like more information about how we can help you achieve long-term success.
