What is gastric bypass and how does it work?

Gastric bypass surgery is the gold-standard against which all other weight-loss surgical procedures are measured. Gastric bypass surgery in Houston has shown to be the most effective and safest way to surgically treat diabetes associated with obesity. It works by being restrictive (gastric pouch volume less than 30 ml), malabsorptive (limiting the amount of calories the body absorbs from meals), and has a metabolic component that favors weight loss (upregulation of GLP-1 hormone, which causes early satiety and aids in treating diabetes). Patients should expect to lose about 80% of their excess body weight over the course of 2 years. Results vary patient to patient and also vary based on compliance with a healthy diet and exercise.

Gastric bypass surgery in Houston with Dr. Chaudhry is performed through tiny keyhole incisions, thus allowing patients to recover much faster and decreasing the risk of postoperative complications. In fact, a recent large study has shown that gastric bypass surgery is now as safe as getting your gallbladder removed or having a knee replacement operation.

At Advanced Houston Surgical, gastric bypass surgery can help someone lose weight, reduce health problems, and help them get started on their journey towards a more balanced lifestyle. Contact us today for any questions about weight loss surgery in Houston. 

Recovery

Most patients will stay in the hospital overnight and are ready to go home the day after surgery.  You will be ready to return to work within a week after surgery and will get instructions on how to advance your diet from liquids to solids by Dr. Chaudhry as well as by a Registered Dietician prior to discharge from the hospital. Be sure to ask questions while you can, and make certain that you have have an adequate amount of help at home after you are released. Choose someone supportive to assist you to encourage a positive energy and keep your spirits up while you are recovering.

During this time it is important to follow instructions and to take care of your body. By following the liquid diet provided by Dr. Chaudhry in the beginning, there is a better chance of having a successful recovery, therefore achieving more long term weight loss goals. Although it may feel difficult at times, Dr. Chaudhry and his team are highly knowledgeable on the procedure and will have your best interest in mind throughout your journey.

Dr. Chaudhry will follow up with you a week to 10 days after your surgery. He will continue to follow up closely with you thereafter. You should expect to see him about 4 times the first year of your surgery. These initial follow up visits assure progress is being made and all questions or concerns are addressed during the early phase of weight-loss surgery.

Looking ahead

Improving your health by getting a bariatric procedure is a significant step to take in your life, and keeping up with the results goes beyond postoperative care and recovery. After your gastric bypass surgery in Houston with Dr. Chaudhry, it will be more important than ever to fill your body with necessary vitamins and minerals like calcium, iron, folic acid, zinc, and vitamins D and C. You can get many of these from eating or drinking clean foods like spinach, milk, nuts, and fruits. It is extremely important that you follow a diet of wholesome foods and relearn healthy eating habits moving forward.

Exercise may be a new frontier or it may be something you used to be more familiar with when you were younger. Getting up and staying active is going to be another key aspect of maintaining defined results. It may even help you to lose more weight than someone who strays from an exercise routine. Work with Dr. Chaudhry and his team to build up a solid workout routine and stick to it in the future to cement great results.

Am I a candidate for weight-loss surgery in Houston?

If you answer yes to any of the following questions and have a BMI of 35 or more you are a potential candidate for bariatric surgery:

Am I having trouble losing weight with diet and exercise?

Do I suffer from joint pain or back pain?

Do I have diabetes or prediabetes?

Do I have high blood pressure?

Do I have high cholesterol?

Do I have heart disease?

Do I have sleep apnea?

Do I have low energy?

Do I suffer from polycystic ovaries?

Do I have a poor quality of life?

Do you feel like a prisoner in your own body and do you feel like you can’t do the things you love to do?

Does my insurance cover the weight loss surgery?

At Advanced Houston Surgical, our insurance specialists will determine if your insurance policy provides coverage for bariatric surgery.  We will do the background work to determine coverage and Dr. Chaudhry will also work closely with the insurance companies to express medical necessity when applicable during instances of non-coverage.