Gastric bypass surgery has become increasingly common over the past five years. The surgery is usually reserved for those that are morbidly obese and who are disabled by being overweight. The definition of morbidly obese is having a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. The surgery is definitely not something that should be taken lightly. Counseling is often a requirement once it is determined that the prospective surgery candidate even qualifies physically. Usually gastric bypass surgery is a last resort after all other possibilities, including medication, have been exhausted.

There usually is a six to eight-week waiting period where the patient is extensively counseled on their condition. They are asked questions such as "Has being overweight affected your job performance?" "Has your condition affected your mental stability and general quality of life?" These may seem like very simple questions, but it is necessary to get to the root of why the person feels they need this sort of extreme method of weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery is not something to be taken lightly. There can be severe and life threatening consequences to having this performed. There also needs to be a complete change in attitude about food and why you eat. Further questions that the counselor may ask are, "Do you overeat when you are depressed?" "Do you overeat when happy or good things are happening?" Some people use food as a "feel good mechanism" and rely on it to compliment their emotions. This needs to be overcome through counseling before any surgery takes place.

The reason this is so important is the stomach is actually cut to a quarter of its original size. If the patient were to continue eating the way they had previous to the surgery, they could become deathly ill. This is why they are counseled and asked the questions such as above. A lifestyle change needs to take place before they are submitted for surgery.

The surgery changes the patient's digestive system permanently even when the simplest of procedures are performed. There are many long term effects of gastric bypass including various difficulties with the digestive system, as one could imagine. Gas, bowel problems and vitamin deficiencies are all common. Often, food allergies develop and do not go away. Patients may become allergic to dairy or wheat products. They can become ill on a regular basis just from being allergic to the aforementioned.

In conclusion, gastric bypass surgery is not something to be taken lightly. Once preformed, though it can have great health advantages, can also create new problems for the patient. Only after every other alternative has been exhausted, such as diet and exercise, should this surgery be considered.