I have a wife with bulimia and it was getting to the point where I couldn't take it any more. She needed bulimia treatment badly, but I didn't know where to turn. Through the internet I came across your site and sent my wife for bulimia treatment at your center.
Whoever she first spoke with made her feel so comfortable, she even became excited about the possibility of not having to binge and purge any more. The change in her is amazing. I know she will always be recovering, but I am proud to say she is the most courageous person I know. Thank you for all of your help.
-- Preston V., Nashua, New Hampshire
I needed to find an eating disorder clinic so badly. I used to eat compulsively and had swung over completely to purging and laxatives. I felt so bad about myself, the shame and guilt was just killing me. I had been to an eating disorder clinic before, but they really did not address my mood swings, that I have since understood them to be a bipolar disorder.
Your staff kept telling me that my eating behavior was a symptom of other problems. Well even though I didn't believe them they turned out to be right. I don't use laxatives, I have even learned to exercise moderately. Thank you so much. By the way, it has been ten months since I last purged.
-- Bonnie S., Boston, Massachusetts
Well Shelly, I told you I would write when I had one year in recovery and here I am. Who would have guessed. I have so much gratitude for you taking your time and referring me to a great facility. I knew from the moment I walked in there that I was in the right place. The next time I come by it will be to visit, not as a patient. You are absolutely the greatest.
-- Venessa C., Raleigh, North Carolina
Gastric Bypass Procedure
If you are looking for effective, non-surgical obesity treatments call our nationally recognized toll-free eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313. Get the help you need to recover your health and reclaim your life. Caring professionals are standing by 24/7 to assist you and all calls are confidential.
Facts about Gastric Bypass Procedure and Recovery
The gastric bypass procedure, also known as bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery, reduces the size of the stomach and allows food to "bypass" part of the small intestine. It is a complex surgery to help obese individuals lose weight by helping them:
Reduce the amount of food they can consume
Feel satiated more quickly
Absorb fewer calories
Performed under general anesthesia, gastric bypass procedure takes about one to four hours in surgery, followed by a hospital stay of up to one week.
Gastric bypass procedure is performed using one of the following techniques:
Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass (traditional and laparoscopic)
Biliopancreatic diversion bypass
(Another form of weight loss surgery that does not involve a bypass is lap band treatment.)
Roux-en-Y-gastric Bypass Procedure (traditional and laparoscopic)
The Roux-en-Y bypass is the most common type of gastric bypass procedure. This procedure does not remove portions of the stomach. The traditional Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass procedure is performed through open surgery with one long incision or can be performed laparoscopically using multiple smaller incisions. Laparoscopic surgery will produce less scarring and the overall gastric bypass recovery time is less.
Roux-en-Y bypass creates a smaller stomach using a plastic band or surgical staples. The reduced-sized stomach is then connected to the mid-portion of the small intestine, bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine.
If the process of locating the best eating disorder treatment program for you becomes confusing and a bit overwhelming, you can always call the national eating disorder helpline at 1-800-941-5313.
The biliopancreatic diversion bypass is more complex than the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. It is performed through open surgery with one long incision, leaving a permanent scar. This gastric bypass procedure removes portions of the stomach to create a smaller stomach pouch. The middle part of the small intestine is attached to the smaller stomach pouch. This procedure is not widely used, because there is more risk of nutritional deficiencies.
Gastric Bypass Recovery
The gastric bypass recovery process can take time. After surgery, patients may spend time ranging from two days to a week in the hospital depending on the type of gastric bypass procedure that was performed. For a few days immediately following the procedure, patients often feel sore and the abdomen will be swollen. Generally speaking, most people require 2-5 weeks of recovery time before resuming normal activities. Aftercare treatments typically include a dietary plan, behavioral-modification therapy, regular exercise, and nutritional supplements.
