Gastric Bypass Surgery in Nigeria by Expert Indian Surgeons

According to a recent survey, Nigeria has the highest rate of obesity in Africa, making gastric bypass surgery a crucial tool in combating this epidemic.

According to the World Health Organization, obesity rates in Nigeria have tripled since 1975, and over 40% of Nigerian adults are now considered overweight or obese. This has led to increased rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease.

Gastric bypass surgery, a weight loss surgery that reduces the size of the stomach and limits the amount of food that can be eaten, has emerged as a potential solution to the obesity epidemic in Nigeria. This surgical procedure can lead to significant and sustained weight loss, as well as improvements in comorbidities associated with obesity.

While gastric bypass surgery is an effective treatment for obesity, it is not widely available in Nigeria. Indian doctors from reputed hospitals will visit the medical camps in Nigeria, organized by MedicoExperts in collaboration with Nigerian healthcare providers. This world class collaboration will enable most effective treatment for the Nigerian patients in their own cities.

Let us know how Mr. Robert reduced his excessive obesity by taking help of MedicoExperts in Lagos.

Robert had struggled with obesity for years, and it had taken a toll on his health and daily life. He had tried various diets, and exercises, and even consulted with local dieticians, but none of these seemed to work.

One day, Robert stumbled upon a story about a man named John who had successfully lost weight by taking part in MedicoExperts Gastric bypass surgery camp. Robert was intrigued and began to research more about the procedure. 

He learned about the benefits of the surgery and how it helped to control appetite and promote weight loss.

Robert began to consider if this surgery could be the solution to his ongoing battle with obesity. With newfound hope, he made an appointment with MedicoExperts gastric bypass surgery camp in Lagos. The surgeon explained the procedure and suggested some dietary changes that he needed to make before the surgery.

Robert followed the dietary regimen recommended by the surgeon before the surgery and decided to undergo the surgery after careful consideration. The surgery was successful, and Robert began to feel the weight loss almost immediately.

Over the next few months, Robert’s health began to improve significantly, and he lost a considerable amount of weight. His diabetes and high blood pressure were also under control. Robert felt grateful for finding a solution to his problem and was much more confident in his daily life.

Looking back, Robert was glad he had come across the story of  John and MedicoExperts. It inspired him to explore new treatment options and helped him find the right solution to his problem.

Let us know about gastric bypass surgery in detail.

What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is a type of weight loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and rerouting the small intestine to this new pouch. This reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold, and also reduces the absorption of calories and nutrients, resulting in weight loss.

During gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into a small upper pouch and a much larger lower “remnant” pouch, and then the small intestine is rerouted to connect to both. This changes how the stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat, resulting in loss of weight.

Advantages of Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery has several advantages, including:
1. Significant Weight Loss: The amount of weight that can be lost after gastric bypass surgery is often impressive compared to other weight loss methods. This surgery can help patients lose up to 60-80% of their excess weight over time.
2. Improvement in Obesity-Related Health Conditions: Gastric bypass surgery has been shown to improve or resolve a number of obesity-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and acid reflux.
3. Longer-term Weight Loss Maintenance: Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery may have an easier time maintaining their weight loss in the long term compared to other weight loss methods.
4. Improved Quality of Life: Greater weight loss can lead to a better quality of life by allowing patients to engage in physical activities they may have previously avoided, improve self-esteem, and reduce depression and anxiety.

Prerequisite for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Prerequisites for gastric bypass surgery include having a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher, or a BMI between 30 and 35 with an obesity-related condition such as heart disease, diabetes, or high blood pressure.

How to Prepare for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Here are some general steps you can take to prepare for gastric bypass surgery:

1. Consult with a healthcare provider:

Talk with a healthcare provider about whether gastric bypass surgery is a good option for you. They can guide the benefits, risks, and potential outcomes of the surgery.

2. Follow a pre-op diet:

The pre-op diet typically consists of high-protein, low-calorie foods that are easy to digest and help to reduce the size of the liver before surgery.

You may need to avoid certain foods or drinks, such as carbonated beverages and alcohol, in the weeks leading up to the surgery.

3. Exercise and maintain a healthy weight:

Losing weight before surgery can help reduce the risk of complications and improve outcomes. Follow a regular exercise routine and eat a healthy diet to prepare your body for the procedure.

4. Stop certain medications:

Your surgeon and anesthesiologist will provide instructions on which medications to stop taking before surgery since some medications can increase the risk of bleeding or other complications during the procedure.

5. Prepare emotionally and mentally:

Gastric bypass surgery is a major surgery that requires a significant lifestyle change. Preparing for the physical, emotional, and psychological aspects of the surgery can improve outcomes and help you successfully navigate life after surgery.

MedicoExperts team in Nigeria will help you by providing all kinds of guidelines and counseling before your surgery to make you feel confident about the surgery. The psychological support you receive from the doctors will help you decide on surgery without much hesitation.

How Gastric Bypass Surgery is performed?

During gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon will use general anesthesia to put you to sleep and make a large incision in your abdomen. The surgeon will then divide your stomach into two sections and create a small pouch at the top of the stomach using staples or a vertical band.

The surgeon may also remove the part of the small intestine called the duodenum, which is responsible for absorbing most of the calories and nutrients from food.

The remaining part of the small intestine is then attached to the new stomach pouch, further limiting calorie and nutrient absorption.

Life After Gastric Bypass Surgery

After Gastric Bypass Surgery, patients are advised to follow a specific diet for proper recovery and weight loss. It is essential to eat slowly and chew food thoroughly, focus on high-protein foods, avoid foods high in fat and sugar, and drink liquids between meals.

Patients may experience side effects such as postsurgical pain, weakness, light-headedness, fatigue, nausea, vomiting, and difficulty sleeping in the early days and weeks after surgery.
It is normal to have liquids but no solid food immediately after gastric bypass surgery as the stomach and intestines heal. Gradually, solid foods can be added back into the diet.

In addition, patients are advised to avoid strenuous physical activity for up to six weeks and take vitamins and mineral supplements to compensate for reduced nutrient absorption.