Chelsey Jones

Ms. Sanchez
English IV
28 April 2015
Gastric Bypass Surgery
According to the ASMBS, every year, over 40,000 people turn to a life-threatening
surgery because of their despair over losing weight alone. One of these life-threatening surgeries
is Gastric Bypass, which Mason explains to be the most common form of bariatric surgery in the
United States. In the 1960s, Drs. Mason and Ito initially developed the procedure as a treatment
for stomach ulcers by removing portions of a patients stomach. Medical professionals began to
recognize significant weight loss in those who had the surgery, which was the start of this
common bariatric surgery. This new discovery gave hope for many obese people, but brought
numerous health risks, and even death, along with it. When someone is so overweight, surgery
sounds like the best and only option, but its such a high price to pay for a small figure. Gastric
bypass surgery proposes too many dangers, long-term, pivotal care, and large expenses that
outweigh the outcome, which can be achieved by many other approaches.

Johnson demonstrates that in Gastric Bypass procedure, a small pouch is gathered in the
stomach and stapled shut. Then, the small intestine is cut and stapled onto the pouch, minimizing
the stomachs ability to take in food. This procedure involves removing a section of the stomach
and rearranging the small bowel to redirect bile and pancreatic secretions away from the food
stream. This will allow fats and starches to go through without being absorbed. Kerr says that the

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surgery is typically recommended for those who have tried and not been successful in losing
weight through more conventional means such as dieting an exercise and/or when the persons
health is in danger due to their obesity. If one wants the surgery, though, they will need to meet
certain medical and lifestyle requirements to qualify. Before the surgery, one must meet with
doctors and psychologists to rule out other ways to help the problem. If all still think the surgery
is the best option, then it will be scheduled and performed.

One thing to consider when having gastric bypass surgery, is that it is a complex surgery.
Like all surgeries, it carries its risks. According to the ASBS, three people out of every 1,000
surgeries will die. The two most common risks during surgery are the formation of blood clots
and infections. Kerr listed these as two of the more serious complications in the case of bypass
surgery. Wound infection occurs in as many as 8% of patients after open RYGBP and late
incisional hernia occurs in as many as 20% of patients, according to Mason. Another possible
complication that can be serious is excessive bleeding. While some bleeding is expected during
surgery, excessive bleeding can occur and require transfusion. If the bleeding is severe enough to
cause a crisis and surgery isnt terminated in time, death can occur. Bleeding is not the only risk
that can lead to death, though. Whitlock explains that while uncommon, very serious
complications can occur if a patient has a reaction to the anesthesia drugs. The staff at Mayo
Clinic suggest that patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, lung disease, diabetes or
obesity have a higher risk of developing problems such as pneumonia, stroke, and heart attack
after surgery. Since this surgery is for obese people who commonly obtain these previous
diseases, this statement largely applies to gastric bypass surgery. Some other possible

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complications for any surgical procedure can include; fluid buildup under the skin, obvious
scarring or skin breakdown, and numbness and tingling from nerve damage, which can be
permanent. Surgery can also limit everyday actions for a period of time after surgery. Kroh
advises against lifting anything over 15 pounds for at least two to six weeks after abdominal
surgery. This can be a problematic hindrance for some.

Surgery can be scary, and getting through it is a major relief, but for gastric bypass
surgery, the possible complications continue. Johnson says that, People who undergo extensive
bypasses of the normal digestive process require not only close monitoring, but also lifelong use
of special foods and medications. Because gastric bypass affects how your digestive system
absorbs calories, anemia and malnourishment can occur after surgery. Further more, nearly one
in three patients develop nutritional deficiencies. (Robinson) These side effects can be avoided,
but will require one to take proper vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of their life.
Also, more than one-third of obese patients who have this surgery will develop gallstones.
(Pritkin) Hallmark explains that gallstones are a risk due to rapid weight loss. Up to twenty
percent of patients who have this procedure done, will need follow-up surgeries as well.
(Thompson) Common issues that cause these followed surgeries are hernias, stretched stomach
outlets, and breakdown of the staple line. Pritkin says that in some cases, more of the small and
even large intestine need to be removed, which also requires further surgery. Robinson elucidates
that people who have gastric bypass surgery are at risk for leakage of stomach acids into the
body. This can be dangerous because the acid can eat away at other organs. Jensen lists some less
serious, yet aggravating, complications including; stomach upsets, fatigue, chills, body aches,

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dry skin, hair loss or thinning, and mood changes. Most people dont mind the problems at the
moment, no matter the cost. Guthrie stated, People who have had the surgery the past couple of
years are in a honeymoon state. What she means by this, is that many people wont admit to the
problems they have that stemmed from the surgery, because they are so happy to be thinner.

Complex and costly are the two words Hutcher used when describing bariatric
surgery. The average cost of gastric bypass surgery is $24,000 in the United States. This surgery
isnt too short of the average cost of a new car. Livingston calls this price a significant obstacle
for patients to overcome. Of the three most popular bariatric surgeries, gastric bypass is the most
expensive. Davis says that, If you dont have health insurance, youll likely have to pay the
entire bill yourself. Additional surgery costs may include; anesthesiologists fee, surgical
assistants fee, device fees, consultant fees, and follow-up procedures. Since gastric bypass
surgery is a complex surgery, many variables and recovery issues can cause extended expenses
that can escalate quickly, in Hutchers words. Most patients have to take vitamins and
occasionally protein shakes for the rest of their lives, which average about $50 a month.
Nutritionist may also be required, which are often out of pocket and can range from $50 to $100
per visit. Other possible post-procedure costs are for dietary plans, fitness regimens, behavioral
modification, nutritional supplementation and body contouring surgeries.

There are many risks and negative possibilities, but people who argue against this deserve
some credit. The ASMBS says there is an 85 percent success rate in the first surgery, which isnt
perfect but exceeds the contradicting failure rate. One of the best advantages is that patients will

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experience long-term, excess weight loss; achieving their main goal. Also, internal and national
studies show that morbidly obese patients who suffer from high blood pressure, diabetes,
arthritis, sleep apnea, decreased mobility, heart and circulation problems, high cholesterol,
stroke, severe gastroesophageal reflux, and other medical conditions experience an improvement
or even elimination of this condition following the surgery. These improvements can bring an
improved quality of life and mental outlook for those who received the surgery with a preexisting
health problem. Data involving nearly 60,000 bariatric patients from ASMBS Bariatric Centers
of Excellence database show that the risk of death within the 30 days following bariatric surgery
averages 13%, or approximately one out of 1,000 patients. This percentage can be perceived as
low, but someone has to be the one in a thousand. Some minor, yet helpful, advantages are that
breathing becomes easier as well as mobility or capability to do everyday actions. Probably the
best advantage out of it all though, is that the patient will feel better about their self and it will
boost self confidence.

Gray, says that, Gastric bypass isnt a surefire cure for obesity, and that, five years out,
85% of the patients have regained about half of the weight theyve lost. The other 15% have
gained back even more. In conclusion, gastric bypass is a major and costly surgery that carries
many risks during and after the procedure. So, which is right? Is going through with the surgery
the better option? Should one not risk it? Though there are many benefits to gastric bypass
surgery, it is not the only nor safest option to achieve ones goal when considering the risks
proposed during and after the surgery and the costs.