Gastric Bypass Procedures - Travel & LifeStyle -

Standing on stage at St. Bart’s Square in central London, looking out over 14,000 cheering fans, all I could think was, “How does a guy like me get to a place like this?”

It was June 2001, and I was performing alongside world-renowned artists like Tony Bennett and Paul McCartney as part of the celebration of Queen Elizabeth’s Golden Jubilee. I was undoubtedly more awestruck than any audience member at the event. I had only started singing the year before, the professional culmination of an indescribable emotional and psychological journey that started in the spring of 1997, when I underwent gastric bypass surgery.

I sported a size 40 regular canary yellow zoot suit for the Queen’s concert, strutting confidently back and forth across the stage as I sang big band classics to an audience of thousands. Five years and one month prior, those few steps would have left me gasping for air. Back then, I weighed exactly 400 pounds, and I had lost all hope. My life had become unmanageable. I checked myself into the hospital and declared “physical bankruptcy” as I turned my body over to the experts—a team of doctors and nurses who offered me a one-time chance to start over.

Like many gastric bypass surgery patients, I had been overweight most of my life. As a child I was euphemistically called “husky,” and I managed to use my weight to my advantage by playing football starting in the second grade. But by middle school, the coaches had to move me up a league level because I was heavier than the other children my age. In the next league, my teammates just called me fat, and I was relegated to the position of benchwarmer. I couldn’t have been more miserable.

After high school, I entered in the Navy in hopes I could see the world and all it had to offer. Not long after boot camp, I was stationed in far northern Japan as a liaison between the military police and the local Japanese law enforcement. For a bit of fun and exercise, I signed up for the base football team. Ironically, a month later the city mayor and base commander were watching a game when they struck upon the wild idea of recruiting me into the sport of sumo. (You know, the fat guys in diapers?) I went to my first practice the very next day and was on the amateur sumo wrestling circuit a few weeks later, serving as a sort of goodwill ambassador to Japan while competing in cities across the country.

My salvation came one morning as I was getting ready for work. I was listening to Good Morning America on the television as I went about my usual routine, and my ears perked up as Charlie Gibson read a report about a radical new surgery for the morbidly obese. I immediately read everything I could get my hands on about this new gastric bypass technique, and I eventually qualified for the surgery after being diagnosed with sleep apnea. Three months after hearing the report on the morning news, I was admitted in the hospital having weight loss surgery.

After weight loss surgery, the weight truly just melted away. I lost nearly 200 pounds in a year’s time and could not believe the transformation I was seeing right before my own eyes as I dropped down from a waist size of 56 inches to just 34 inches. The biggest challenge during this time was not cutting back on food or increasing my physical activity, but rather the lack of mental and emotional support available to weight loss patients.

Because gastric bypass surgery was still a new procedure, there were no support groups or help centers for those of us who had undergone the treatment. The doctors were great about the mechanics of the surgery, but they had no idea what it was like inside of a brain that had just gone through such a radical change. I strongly encouraged my surgeon to set up a regular meeting for his patients, so they could share their experience and insight with one another. Today, his weekly sessions regularly draw 20 to100 pre- and post-op patients. (I also created my own website for gastric bypass patients this year www.renewedreflections.com and am working on a self-help book for people who have had the surgery.)

I came to realize that the weight was never really the problem, but rather, a symptom of other unresolved issues. Although I was grateful for the weight loss surgery and the transformation that followed, I discovered it could never be a complete solution, because it was a physical remedy applied to a mental, emotional and spiritual problem. Like taking an aspirin for the pain of a brain tumor, the gastric bypass only addressed the most superficial part of a serious illness. I was now realizing that to accurately get to the root of the problem, I had to stop focusing on my waistline, and start focusing on the gray matter between my ears. So, what did I really want? Now that the fat suit was gone, I was left with me, but I didn’t know who “me” was.

In the four years since deciding to pursue my dreams I have performed on three continents, appeared in local and national media, and rubbed elbows with celebrities. I have established three set-ups of my 17-piece big band—one in Dallas, one in London and one in Tokyo—and recorded a critically acclaimed CD www.cdbaby.com/bigt/.

“How does a guy like me get to a place like this?”

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Craig “Big T” Thompson lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife Leslie and their two lazy cats. He performs regularly with his big bands in the U.S. and overseas and also runs a Website offering guidance and support for WLS patients at www.renewedreflections.com.

Craig Thompson, better known as “Big T,” has a reputation for doing things in a mighty big way. The former sumo wrestler who used to tip the scales at 400 pounds has since reinvented himself as a singer and bandleader. As one of the earliest to have Gastric Bypass Surgery, in 1997, Thompson now helps others at www.RenewedReflections.com

Craig Thompson may be contacted at http://www.renewedreflections.com or craig@renewedreflections.com

Gastric Bypass Procedures
by Craig Thompson

Gastric Bypass Procedures and Pictures

The following sections include descriptions of various bariatric surgery procedures and links to pictures of the procedures described.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure involves creating a stomach pouch from the upper portion of the stomach and attaching it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large part of the stomach and duodenum. The small upper pouch restricts the amount of food that can be eaten. Directly connecting to the mid-portion of the small intestine prevents part of the calories that are eaten from being absorbed. Together this provides a 60-80 percent loss of excessive weight over a period of two years.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/gastric-bypass-roux-en-y-stomach-surgery-for-weight-loss.html

http://www.webmd.com/hw/health_guide_atoz/aa57905.asp?printing=true

Lap-Band Gastric Bypass Procedure

The lap-band procedure consists of an adjustable silicone band being placed around the stomach to create a small upper pouch that restricts the amount of food that can be eaten. The band contains a saline reservoir, which is placed just beneath the skin and allows it to be adjusted. This procedure is the least invasive and therefore the least dangerous. Patients still lose 40-50 percent of excess weight over a period of two years. Since its approval, the lap band has been steadily gaining in popularity in the United States.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/gastric-bypass-adjustable-gastric-banding.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19497.htm

Vertical Banding Procedure

Vertical Banded Gastroplasty is a non-adjustable form of banding that uses staples to decrease the size of the stomach and restrict the amount of food that can be eaten. Instead of creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach, this procedure divides the stomach length-wise and makes it smaller. This procedure does not interfere with normal digestive processes and has less potential complications than gastric bypass surgery. Since the approval of the lap-band procedure, fewer surgeons are electing to perform vertical banding on their patients and its use is steadily declining.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/gastric-bypass-vertical-banded-gastroplasty.html

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/19498.htm

Duodenal Switch Procedure

Duodenal switch produces weight loss results far surpassing those of other severe obesity therapies. First, the stomach is made smaller to about one-third of its original size. Then, the intestine is divided into three pathways: two separate and a single common pathway. Food travels through the shorter pathway, directly to the large intestine, and bile from the liver is diverted to the common path of the altered digestive tract. This is one of the most invasive of all the procedures because it makes major, permanent anatomical changes to the patient’s digestive system. While this procedure is extremely effective, it carries a higher risk of complications than the others. As a result, it is rarely performed anymore.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/gastric-bypass-biliopancreatic-diversion-with-duodenal-switch.html

http://www.duodenalswitch.com/procedure/procedure.html

Biliopancreatic diversion

Biliopancreatic diversion combines the removal of two-thirds of the stomach with a long intestinal bypass, which significantly reduces the absorption of fat. The patient can eat more than with any other operation and the eventual weight loss is greater. However, since most of the food is routed directly to the colon and never digested or absorbed by the body, the patient faces the risk of many severe and potentially fatal nutritional deficiencies. Consequently, even though it is an extremely effective procedure, biliopancreatic division is rarely performed today.

http://health.allrefer.com/health/gastric-bypass-biliopancreatic-diversion-bpd.html

Gastric Bypass Surgery – Knowing the Risks
by Craig Thompson

Gastric Bypass Surgery – Knowing the Risks

Like any other type of elective surgery, gastric bypass surgery comes complete with its own set of risks. In fact, 10 to 20 percent of gastric bypass patients require follow-up surgery to correct a complication of the original weight loss surgery, according to the National Institutes of Health. The following list covers the most serious risks, and necessary treatments.

Pulmonary Embolism – Patients face a one percent chance of blood clots developing in the legs after surgery. Several techniques can prevent the formation of clots, such as using surgical compression stockings that put pressure on the legs and maintain blood flow in the days following surgery. If clots do form, they may break off and be carried into the lungs, where they can get caught. Emergency surgery is required.

Peritonitis – If a staple or suture used during surgery ruptures and allows stomach fluid to leak into the abdominal cavity, it can cause a serious infection, called peritonitis. Emergency surgery is required to seal the leak, followed by treatment with antibiotics to kill the infection.

Gallstones – More than one-third of gastric bypass surgery patients develop gallstones, which seem to be caused by rapid weight loss. If a patient has gallstones before the operation, the surgeon will remove the gall bladder during the gastric bypass operation to prevent further difficulties. If there are no signs of gall bladder problems, the doctor may prescribe medication to minimize the risk after surgery.

Chronic Vomiting – The connection between the stomach and the intestines can narrow as a result of scar tissue forming. When this occurs, food cannot pass easily through the channel, which may cause nausea and vomiting after eating. To correct the problem during follow-up surgery, the doctor will insert a balloon into the opening and stretch it. This outpatient procedure has a 90 percent success rate.

Dumping Syndrome – This problem occurs when food moves too quickly through the small intestine and causes nausea, weakness, sweating, faintness, and possibly diarrhea soon after eating. Normally, it is caused eating highly refined foods, like sugars. Proper dietary precautions can prevent or control this problem.

Nutritional Deficiencies – Approximately 30 percent of gastric bypass patients develop severe nutritional deficiencies, such as anemia, osteoporosis, and metabolic bone disorders. Taking the correct combination of dietary supplements can prevent these problems.

Stomach Ulcers – Ulcers can develop at the top part of the intestine when it is connected to the new stomach pouch. Traditional ulcer treatments are used.

Hernia – Hernias can develop in any part of the abdominal muscles where there is a weak point that allows a part of the stomach or intestines to push through. Surgery can correct this problem.

Pregnancy – Women should not get pregnant for at least two years after surgery to prevent serious post-surgical complications. Women who later become pregnant must also be careful to take the correct nutritional supplements to protect both her and the baby from developing nutritional deficiencies.

Bowel Obstruction – This problem can result when scar tissue develops where the stomach was sewn or stapled to create a smaller pouch. This requires immediate emergency medical treatment that may include surgery.

With all of the hazards involved, you need to carefully weigh the risks against the benefits of gastric bypass surgery. On the positive side, in addition to weight loss, gastric bypass surgery can dramatically reduce the chance of obesity-related heart disease, diabetes, and sleep apnea, as well as improve lower back and knee problems. Before arranging gastric bypass surgery, discuss all treatment options with your doctor to determine the course of action that is right for you.

Gastric Bypass Surgery – Preparation for the Big Event

by Craig Thompson

Gastric Bypass Surgery – Preparation for the Big Event

As with any surgical procedure, proper preparation before gastric bypass surgery is extremely important to ensure the experience is not overly stressful. Assuming your doctor confirms that you are a valid candidate for a gastric bypass, the first thing you should do to prepare is to contact your insurance company to see if they cover weight loss surgery.

If the surgery qualifies for coverage, your insurance carrier may require both physical and psychological clearances as part of the gastric bypass preparation. They may accept information sent by your doctors or require you to see doctors of their choosing before they will approve the gastric bypass surgery. You also need to see what your financial responsibility will be, so you can make whatever preparations are necessary to pay for it.

Next, you will need to find a qualified hospital or surgical center and pre-register to undergo weight loss surgery. Pre-screening tests will need to be performed about a week prior to surgery.

The Day of the Procedure

Since your stomach must be completely empty to reduce the changes of vomiting during surgery, no food or drink is allowed after midnight the day before your surgery.

Usually, you check into the hospital or surgical center early the morning of your surgery to complete final paperwork and last minute tests. Then, you will be taken to a room where you will change into a surgical gown. Next, you will be taken to a pre-operating holding area where the anesthesiologist will discuss your medical history with you and answer any questions that you may have.

In the operating room, any other necessary preparations will be completed, and then the anesthesiology will start an IV for you. Now it’s time for the surgeons to work their magic.

What Happens During Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is performed under general anesthesia, which means you will be asleep during the surgery. If you are having a laparoscopic procedure, the surgeon will make three to four small incisions in the outer abdomen wall and insert a micro-sized camera and different surgical instruments into your body. Your abdominal cavity will be filled with gas to inflate the space and make it easier for the surgeon to see what he or she is doing. If you are having the Roux-en-Y procedure performed, the surgeon will make a much larger incision, from your bellybutton to breastbone, through which to enter the abdominal cavity and perform the gastric bypass.

In both cases, the surgeon will create a small upper pouch in your stomach using a surgical stapler and reinforcing the staples with stitches. Then the surgeon will divide the small intestine and attach one end to the new stomach pouch, bypassing part of the digestive track so that food will pass directly from the new stomach pouch to the mid-point of the small intestine. The new, smaller stomach pouch prevents the patient from eating large amounts of food, and the bypass prevents the patient’s body from absorbing some of the calories in the food that is eaten.

After the surgery is finished, you will be taken to the recovery room where nurses will monitor your condition. As soon as you are ready, you will be sent home and scheduled for a follow-up with your surgeon two weeks later.

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This article provides an overview of health issues related to gastric bypass surgery and is not intended to replace the advice of a medical practitioner. Please consult your doctor prior to making any major medical decisions.

Craig Thompson may be contacted at http://www.renewedreflections.com or craig@renewedreflections.com