What To Know About Gastric Bypass Surgery & Life Expectancy

Gastric bypass is a weight-loss procedure for patients with severe obesity. Before selecting this surgery, it’s important to understand further details. This guide reviews everything you need to know about gastric bypass surgery and your life expectancy after the procedure.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that alters your stomach and small intestine to change the way you absorb food. It can restrict the quantity of food your body holds, limit calorie or nutrient absorption, or change gut hormones (helping you feel fuller longer).

The surgeon will make small incisions and use a laparoscope tool to access your stomach. From there, the surgeon will cut across the top of your stomach, sealing it off from the rest so there’s only a walnut-sized pouch sewn to the lower intestine.

Why People Select the Procedure

An important thing to know about gastric bypass surgery is why people select the procedure. Patients with severe obesity and life-threatening (weight-related) illnesses seek this surgery to lose excess weight. Symptoms including high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes can improve after surgery. Furthermore, it can help with obstructive sleep apnea and gastroesophageal reflux disease.

Because this procedure is for severe obesity, patients need a BMI of 40 or higher to qualify for gastric bypass. However, your doctor will assess your medical history and determine if the procedure is right for you.

Life Expectancy Post-Surgery

In the Swedish Obese Subject Study, life expectancy was three years longer among patients who underwent weight loss surgery than participants who went without it. Bariatric surgery, including gastric bypass, relieves symptoms of obesity-related illnesses. In some cases, it gets rid of those obesity-related illnesses that significantly affect people’s lives. When patients are no longer at risk for complications, they live healthier and longer lives.

Choose ALGSN Bariatric

If you’re interested in gastric bypass surgery in Las Vegas, select the best professionals. The Slim Vegas Bariatric and General Surgery team is compassionate experts ready to help you! Happiness starts with health, and we want to support your weight loss goals. If you have any questions, please contact us today!