Gastric Bypass Information: About Obesity

Before deciding to have surgery of any nature, it is important that you understand all of the facts. That’s why Geisinger has included a variety of pertinent gastric bypass information on this site. The more information related to the various types of gastric bypass surgery you read, the better prepared you will be as you prepare for gastric bypass yourself or support a friend or family member who may be having the surgery.

Gastric Bypass Information: Understanding Obesity

People suffering from clinically severe obesity (generally 100 pounds above their ideal weight) are at a very high risk for suffering from medical problems, or even death due to their excess weight. Weight loss surgery is one way to improve their quality of life.

Many people, who lose weight with dieting alone, cannot maintain their weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery offers a better chance of achieving permanent weight loss. The majority of patients lose approximately 40% of their pre-surgery weight and keep it off for at least five years. Statistics show that gastric bypass surgery is far more successful than non-surgical weight loss methods involving dieting alone. In 1991, the Institute of Health (NIH) Consensus Conference Panel endorsed the surgical procedures currently in use (gastric bypass and vertical banded gastroplasty) as a superior treatment for individuals suffering from severe obesity with associated medical problems.

Obesity is a condition consisting of an excess amount of body fat. It is associated with many health problems including:

The Ideal Candidate for Gastric Bypass Surgery

A person meeting the following criteria may qualify for this surgery:

• Severely obese for at least 5 years
• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40 or more than 100 pounds overweight
• Medical necessity to lose weight (diabetes, high blood pressure, arthritis, sleep apnea)
• No evidence of substance abuse, psychosis, eating disorders, or uncontrolled depression
• Past attempts at weight loss without permanent success

All gastric bypass candidates are screened on an individual basis. (Many insurance companies have their own standards that must be met.)

Contraindications

Patients will not be considered for gastric bypass surgery if:

• They are unprepared to make lifestyle changes that will help them in their weight loss
• The risk of the surgery would outweigh any potential health benefits
• They have a severe psychological disorder
• They are unwilling to comply with our recommendations

For more information about Geisinger’s nationally recognized gastric bypass program, please e-mail us today or call 1-800-275-6401 and ask for bariatric surgery.