Why is this procedure done?
This procedure is done to treat obesity. It helps you lose weight by making your stomach smaller. When there is less space for food, you will be encouraged to cut down on the amount of food you eat. You will absorb fewer nutrients when a part of the small bowel is cut. ‚
Your doctor will compute your body mass index, or BMI, based on your height and weight. BMI is used as a tool to identify possible weight problems. A high BMI puts you at greater risk of health problems. This procedure is done for people with BMI of 40 or higher. This may also be done for people with BMI of 30 to 39 who have very bad health conditions such as diabetes, high cholesterol, osteoarthritis, or heart disease. ‚
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What will the results be?
- Weight loss
- You will limit the amount of food you eat
- Better health
- Better quality of life
- Shorter healing time over an open surgery
What happens before the procedure?
- Your doctor will take your history, do an exam, and order some tests.
- You will talk with the surgery team and a mental health doctor. You may also meet with a diet specialist. This person can help you plan your diet changes after surgery.
- Talk to your doctor about:
- All the drugs you are taking. Be sure to include all prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugs, and herbal supplements. Tell the doctor about any drug allergy. Bring a list of drugs you take with you.
- Any bleeding problems. Be sure to tell your doctor if you are taking any drugs that may cause bleeding. Some of these are Coumadin, ibuprofen, Aleve (naproxen), or aspirin. Certain vitamins and herbs, such as garlic and fish oil, may also add to the risk for bleeding. You may need to stop these drugs as well. Talk to your doctor about them.
- When you need to stop eating or drinking before your procedure.
- You may be asked to lose some weight before the surgery.
- Your doctor may order a procedure to clear out your stomach and bowel before the procedure.
- Take a bath before the procedure. You may be asked to use special soap or wipes to wash your belly. This will help to prevent infection.
- You will not be allowed to drive right away after the procedure. Ask a family member or a friend to drive you home.
What happens during the procedure?
- Once you are in the operating room, the staff will put an I.V. in your arm to give you fluids and drugs. You will be given a drug to make you sleepy. It will also help you stay pain free during the surgery.
- When you are asleep, the doctors put a tube in your mouth to help you breathe. They also put another small tube in your nose. This one goes down to your stomach to drain out any food or fluid that might come out during surgery. You will have a tube in your bladder to drain urine.
- Your doctor will make some small cuts in your belly. A scope with a tiny camera is put through one of the small cuts to look at your stomach. Your doctor will put small surgical tools into the holes to do the procedure. To be able to see the area, gas will be put in the belly. The doctor will use special tools to cut your stomach and intestines. Then, the doctor will make a small stomach pouch. This is connected to the small bowel.
- The doctor will take the tools and tube out of the cuts.
- Your doctor will clean the cuts and close them with stitches or staples. Your doctor will cover the cuts with clean bandages.
- The procedure takes 2 hours or more.
What happens after the procedure?
- You will be taken to a Recovery Room after surgery. The staff will take out your breathing tube when you are awake. You may have a sore throat afterwards. You will get drugs through your IV to help with your pain.
- The day after or within a few days, the staff will help you start to walk around. Doing coughing and deep breathing exercises will help keep your lungs clear.
- The tube in your nose will stay in for a few days. This will keep your belly clear and give your stomach and bowels time to heal. The doctor will take the tube out when your belly is working well and you hear gurgling sounds.
- You may have a drain tube connected to the larger part of your stomach that was bypassed. It will come out of your side and will drain fluids.
- After the procedure, you will not be allowed to eat for a little while.
- The day after the procedure, you will have an x-ray test to check if there are leaks from your stomach pouch. If there are no leaks, you will be given a small amount of liquid, about 2 tablespoons, to drink every 20 minutes. If there are leaks, you will get liquid and nutrition through an I.V. until the leaks are fixed.
- On the following days, you may be given small amounts of pureed food, about 1 to 2 tablespoons every 20 minutes. Your diet may continue with pureed foods for about 6 weeks.
- You will be taught about your new diet before going home.
- Your doctor may have you wear special stockings to prevent blood clots. You will be given these stockings in the hospital.
- You may need to stay at the hospital for 3 to 5 days or longer if you have problems.
What drugs may be needed?
- The doctor may order drugs to:
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Prevent gallstones
- Lessen stomach acid
- Your doctor will talk to you about the food and mineral supplements that you need after surgery. Chewable vitamins may be easier for you to take and are absorbed more easily. You may need to take them 2 times each day.
- Take drugs by crushing them. If they cannot be crushed, take in liquid form.
What problems could happen?
- Infection
- Bleeding or blood clots
- Signs of low blood sugar. These include anger, shaking, a fast heartbeat, confusion, or sweating.
- Leaks or blocks where the bowels were sewn together
- Dumping syndrome: Fullness, upset stomach, cramping, loose stools, and feeling faint after eating
- Throwing up if you eat too much or too fast
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Loose stools
- Anxiety
- Hernia
- Gallstones or kidney stones
Where can I learn more?
Weight-Control Information Network ‚
http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
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Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚