Gastric bypass surgery is considered a permanent operation. However, it can be reversed for medical reasons only if you suffered from severe malnutrition which is extremely rare. None of your organs are removed from the body so theoretically the surgery can be reversed. Dr. Garber has never had to reverse any patient with this surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery provides an effective tool to limit the amount of food eaten and to change how food calories are absorbed. It must be understood that the surgery is not magic: it works with you, not for you. By working consistantly to make appropriate food choices and behavioral changes, a successful, long-term health impact is possible. See similar questions...

The LAP-BAND® System is a silicone band that is placed around the stomach, creating a small upper stomach pouch that prevents a patient from eating excessively. It is only a restrictive device (not a malabsorptive one), and can be adjusted and/or removed, if necessary. The procedure to place the band is done laparoscopically on an outpatient basis, so our patients go home the same day as surgery in most cases. See similar questions...

ObesityCare.com's mission is to provide information about severe obesity and the treatment there of. Our service is informational only. To find a doctor who can do your gastric bypass surgery or lap band procedure, we recommend using ObesityDirectory.com. It is a nation wide directory (United States) and all of the bariatric surgeons listed are members of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS). See similar questions...

Despite the billions of dollars spent yearly by consumers on weight loss programs and dietary supplements, no medical treatment has been demonstrated to sustain a long term weight loss in a significant number of men or women. In fact, the 1992 NIH consensus statement concerning obesity asserts that medical treatment is considered ineffective in 95% of patients. See similar questions...

is true with any operation, there are complications associated with gastric bypass surgery. One of the most serious is leakage where the stomach pouch meets the small intestine. With no treatment, approximately one in four gastric bypass patients will develop gallstones following surgery. That is why a bile thinning medication is prescribed after surgery. Some other complications include abdominal hernia, wound infection, and bowel obstruction. See similar questions...

You have failed repeated, medically-supervised attempts at losing weight and controlling your obesity You are 100 pounds over your ideal body weight and have a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40, or a BMI of 35 (approximately 80 pounds over ideal body weight) if you have a serious associated medical complication or other obesity-related disease(s) You have had a consultation with one of our Bariatric Surgeons and have been determined to be a surgical candidate. See similar questions...

Like every operation, there is a risk. Because you may already have health-related problems, there is an increased risk of complications. Your doctor should thoroughly screen you to make sure that there are no surprises on the operating table. See similar questions...

The surgery is not a cosmetic procedure, but rather, a course of last resort for people who are at least 100 pounds over their ideal weight and have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40. Patients with a slightly lower BMI may be considered for the procedure if they have other obesity-related problems such as Type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or sleep apnea. See similar questions...

Open Gastric Bypass is performed through a larger incision and abdominal wall retractors to create space to work. By reducing the size of the surgical incision and the trauma associated with the operative exposure, the surgical insult has been shown to be much less after laparoscopic surgery compared to open Gastric Bypass. A limitation of the laparoscopic approach is the steep learning curve of this technically challenging procedure for the surgeon. See similar questions...

Gastric Bypass surgery has been performed on patients as young as 16 years of age. In this age group, the concern is that the patient make the decision for surgery him- or her-self, and that there be a full understanding and commitment to the life long altered eating pattern which will be necessary for success. See similar questions...

Although complications may occur, the benefits of surgery outweigh the risk in carefully selected patients. Recent studies have demonstrated that up to 80% of excess body weight can be lost, and that 40-70% of excess body weight lost can be maintained for as long as 5 years. 95% of diseases related to obesity can be improved or cured. See similar questions...

Most surgeons recommend a daily multivitamin, calcium, and vitamin B12 for the rest of your life. B12 injections are sometimes suggested once a month for the first year and every six months thereafter. B12 may also be taken orally or sublingually (under the tongue) by most patients. The dietician will provide specific guidelines on necessary vitamin supplementation, dependant upon your surgical procedure. See similar questions...

After the stomach stapling surgery, most doctors recommend you exercise to help you lose the weight more quickly. Regular exercise can usually proceed after 6 weeks, but consult your doctor. If the lap band surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients typically spend less than 24 hours in the hospital. It takes most patients about a week to return to work and a month to six weeks to resume exercising. In the case of open surgery or if there are complications, recovery may take longer. See similar questions...

Patients can expect to be out of bed by evening of the same day of the surgery, with a total hospitalization stay of about 3-4 days. The surgical recovery period averages between 3-5 weeks. Every person's weight loss experience is different. As a rule of thumb, the heavier the patient, the more weight they are likely to lose. Most patients can expect to lose two-thirds of their excess weight. Most of that weight loss will occur within the first 18 months. See similar questions...

Many obese women of childbearing age do not have menstrual periods, a condition known as amenorrhea, and thus, are unable to become pregnant. After the surgery and subsequent weight loss, regular menstrual cycles typically resume. Barring other fertility-related problems, these women are able to become pregnant. However, it is not advisable to attempt a pregnancy until 18 months after the surgery. Before then, the rapid weight loss and nutritional deficiencies can harm a developing fetus. See similar questions...

The surgeon is able to reduce the size of the stomach from two fists down to the size of a thumb, with a row of staples. The stomach is able to hold less, so the patient feels full very quickly. A part of the small intestine is re-routed, or bypassed, and the pouch is connected with a small opening (anastomosis) to the small intestine, which slows the progression of food through the GI tract. See similar questions...

You MUST NOT get pregnant during the first 12-18 months after surgery. If you were to get pregnant during this period your fetus could suffer from abnormal development due to malnutrition. After 12-18 months it is perfectly safe to get pregnant. Weight loss surgery may make it easier to conceive after you lose the weight. Plus, with the improvement in preoperative health problems like diabetes and hypertension your chance of a healthy pregnancy is improved. See similar questions...