Monday, February 11, 2008

The Risks and Benefits Associated With Gastric Bypass Surgery

Although diet and exercise are undoubtedly the safest methods of weight loss available, and the preferred ones, they simply do not work for every person who tries them. As it becomes clear that obesity causes or exacerbates some of the most deadly of diseases, the importance of reducing body weight becomes clear. However, not everyone is helped by and traditional methods of weight loss. For varying reasons, other surgical methods may be required to help a person lose weight.

Surgical Alternatives for Weight Loss

There are several surgical alternatives for weight loss. These alternatives include gastric bypass surgery and gastric band surgery. However, studies have shown that gastric bands not have the same level of benefits as gastric bypass surgery, and in fact may have more complications involved.

Gastric band surgery involves the insertion of a band around a person's stomach, which divides the stomach into two parts. By placing this band around the stomach, a person feels full far more quickly and can hold less food in his or her stomach. This surgery may have varying degrees of success, although it may be considered less drastic than gastric bypass surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery involves the creation of a smaller stomach pouch which bypasses directly into the digestive system, skipping part of the small intestine. This surgery can be either laparoscopically or through a large incision the stomach. This type of surgery generally involves a four to six day stay in the hospital. It is not done in any except the most severe circumstances.

Candidates for Gastric Bypass Surgery

To be a candidate for gastric bypass certain a person must meet several qualifications. First of all, a person must have been obese for five or more years. This indicates that the person's weight cannot be lost easily. Second of all, a person must be between the ages of 18 and 65. Gastric bypass surgery cannot be performed on a person that is below or above this age group.

The third and fourth qualifications have more to do with a person’s mental situation, then his or her physical one. The third qualification is that the person must not be an alcoholic. Lastly, the person cannot have untreated depression or other psychiatric disorder.

What to Expect

A person undergoing gastric bypass surgery can expect to lose approximately one third of his or her excess weight within the first one to four years. Some of this weight loss may be regained if a person does not also attempt to change his or her habits after the surgery.

There are many risks a person must undertake if getting a gastric bypass surgery as well. First of all, as with any other surgery, there is a risk of infection. There's also a risk of ulcers or a hernia developing. Nausea and vomiting after eating can also be side effects of gastric bypass surgery. Any person considering this type of surgery should consult his or her doctor regarding these and other risks.

Patients usually have excess skin depending on the amount of weight lost as a result of this type of procedure. Many patients are interested in plastic surgery, including even facial plastic surgery to reduce the signs of loose or sagging skin. Find out more information on cosmetic plastic surgery at DocShop.com.


By Tiffany Bradford

Plastic Surgery - Body Image and Self Esteem

An obsession for body image is what today's society is obsessed about. Body images not only have a big impact on our social lives and careers but also on our relationships and everything that surrounds you. Plastic surgery can dramatically improve body image and boost self esteem, but it not the answer to all body issues.

Cosmetic surgeries have often been termed only weight loss tools. For someone who is morbidly obese a cosmetic surgery can be a great addition to proper diet and exercise and it definitely helps in getting rid of excess skin after massive weight loss. It is often seen that procedures such as liposuction or cellulite treatment can settle problem areas that do not react to diet and exercise. As an example a breast enlargement will not make you thinner, but can bring about a balance in your shape which will make you appear thinner.

It is often found that once the abdomen is stretched by pregnancy or weight gain, it fails to return to its original shape. These tissues generally fail to respond to exercise or diet programs. In these cases, Abdominoplasty, commonly called a tummy tuck, can provide a long-lasting solution. This operation makes the abdominal muscles look smoother and flatter.

Psychological and emotional health, along with realistic expectations, is important considerations when choosing to have cosmetic surgery. A plastic surgery will not change who you are. It can boost your self esteem and change how you act and look. It can bring about great improvements in your social life, relationships. Your career can have a move on if you are confident about your body. People will start believing in your abilities more readily and you will feel good about yourself, you job and your life.

Today enhancing of breast sizes and shapes are common. The surgery required to do this is called Breast augmentation surgery and is carried out by skillful plastic surgeons for cosmetic and medical reasons.

A common side effect of breast augmentation surgery is capsule contacture - a situation where the body forms a lining of live tissue around the breast implants which may lead to hardening of the entire breast implant and an unnatural appearance. Women who contract transient germ contamination or those who suffer from seroma or hematoma are likely to be affected. Another complication of breast augmentation surgery is 'Bottoming out'.

Breast cancer, on the other hand, is a form of cancer that develops in the breast. When cells in your breast begin to multiply out of control this type of cancer occur, which causes lumps, or tumors, to form deep within your breast when the cells in your breast If not treated at an early stage, the cells continue to grow and multiple which will cause the cancer to gradually spread throughout your body. Symptoms of breast cancer can include:

• A bloody liquid discharge from nipple
• Retraction of your nipple or nipple indentation
• Your breast size seems to change in shape drastically.
• The skin begins to compress or dimple of the skin over the breast and redness appears over the breast like an orange peel.

The treatments for breast cancer include surgery, like mastectomy and reconstructive surgery; radiation therapy; There are other treatments like chemotherapy and hormone therapy while biological therapy is also being preferred these days.

To prevent breast cancer, health experts advise you to:

• You must limit alcohol intake and maintain a healthy weight.
• You should always eat high fiber food and engage in daily exercise
• You must use olive oil in cooking which will limit your fat consumption.
• You should eat lots of fruits and vegetable and keep your system clean.

Author : Manish Kumar