Star Jones struggled with her weight in a very public way. She also lost it in a very public way. After undergoing gastric bypass surgery, she lost over 150 pounds.
What is gastric bypass?
A gastric bypass first divides the stomach into a small upper pouch and a much larger, lower remnant pouch and then rearranges the small intestine to allow both pouches to stay connected to it.
Surgeons have developed several different ways to reconnect the intestine, thus leading to several different GBP names. Any GBP leads to a marked reduction in the functional volume of the stomach, accompanied by an altered physiological and psychological response to food. The resulting weight loss, typically dramatic, markedly reduces co-morbidities (diseases related to obesity).
Over 80 percent of patients will develop normal cholesterol levels within 2 - 3 months after operation.
Over 90 percent of Type II diabetics obtain excellent results, usually within a few days after surgery: normal blood sugar levels, normal hemoglobin A1C values, and freedom from all their medications, including insulin injections
Most asthmatics find that they have fewer and less severe attacks, or sometimes none at all. When asthma is associated with gastroesophageal reflux disease, it is particularly benefited by gastric bypass.
Patients usually experience considerable relief of pain and disability from degenerative arthritis and disk disease, and from pain in the weight-bearing joints.
CON
All healing occurs by scar formation, and scars always have a tendency to contract. This may cause the opening between stomach and bowel to become too small, so that no food can get through. This causes repeated vomiting, and must be corrected.
Food intolerances such as: Sugar, milk and milk sugar, and red meats can occur.
Transient hair loss: During the rapid weight loss following the surgery you will probably lose much of your hair. It will grow back.
Urinary tract infections
Changed bowel habits and bowel obstructions
CONCLUSION
You can't really argue with the dramatic change that Star Jones went through. But, you should really think long and hard before going through gastric bypass. The consequences are serious and long term effects are still unknown.
my main concern with this procedure is what are the side effect in the elder years. We don't know how the body will react because none of the cases are followed way into senior years of life. Until there is a successful rate of patients I will wait before having this surgery
posted Jan 15th, 2009 1:17 am
Darla
+
I support gastric bypass. It saved my life.\n\nI think it's a shame the way Star handled herself afterward.
posted Oct 4th, 2008 4:59 pm
TJ
I had GBS (gastric bypass surgery) 4 years ago and have only gained back 10 pounds which I am working at getting back off by eating right and exercising. Holidays and winter will do that extra 10 easily for you. I consider the surgery a success for me as I followed my doctor's orders and do what is right when I see the scale creeping back up. After 17 years of fad diets and trying almost every diet on earth, this worked for me. I contemplated this surgery for 6 months before I made the initial consultation with my doctor. He set me up for many consultations with a nutritionist, psychologist, and other 'specialties" which was a 6-month long journey in itself. It is not a quick fix. It is a long, introspective look at yourself first, if done correctly. Yes, some people do have to have skin removed or a breast lift (as I had); however, often times insurance will pay for that also if it is causing rashes or other health problems.
posted Mar 18th, 2008 9:01 am
belivernluv
this isn't a star jones diet, but a gastric bypass description. for some it's necessary, but i say lose weight the old fashioned way (diet/exercise) if you can
Anonymous
doesn't this procedure usually lead to the need to have another surgery to remove excess skin? I hear that when you lose weight that fast, your skin doesn't have time to catch up
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(Page 1 of 1, 5 total comments)dan
my main concern with this procedure is what are the side effect in the elder years. We don't know how the body will react because none of the cases are followed way into senior years of life. Until there is a successful rate of patients I will wait before having this surgery
posted Jan 15th, 2009 1:17 amDarla
+I support gastric bypass. It saved my life.\n\nI think it's a shame the way Star handled herself afterward.
posted Oct 4th, 2008 4:59 pmTJ
I had GBS (gastric bypass surgery) 4 years ago and have only gained back 10 pounds which I am working at getting back off by eating right and exercising. Holidays and winter will do that extra 10 easily for you. I consider the surgery a success for me as I followed my doctor's orders and do what is right when I see the scale creeping back up. After 17 years of fad diets and trying almost every diet on earth, this worked for me. I contemplated this surgery for 6 months before I made the initial consultation with my doctor. He set me up for many consultations with a nutritionist, psychologist, and other 'specialties" which was a 6-month long journey in itself. It is not a quick fix. It is a long, introspective look at yourself first, if done correctly. Yes, some people do have to have skin removed or a breast lift (as I had); however, often times insurance will pay for that also if it is causing rashes or other health problems.
posted Mar 18th, 2008 9:01 ambelivernluv
this isn't a star jones diet, but a gastric bypass description. for some it's necessary, but i say lose weight the old fashioned way (diet/exercise) if you can
Anonymous
doesn't this procedure usually lead to the need to have another surgery to remove excess skin? I hear that when you lose weight that fast, your skin doesn't have time to catch up