Gastric Bypass Alternatives For Those Who Want To Lose Weight

Updated on September 23, 2023
Woman measuring her weight using scales on floor

Gastric bypass surgery is a medical procedure where the stomach is divided into a smaller upper pouch and a bigger, lower ‘remnant’ pouch. The large intestine is then rearranged into a ‘false’ pouch attached to the upper one. With a small incision, the small intestine of the patient is inserted into the upper portion of the abdominal pouch. The upper stomach is then left open for proper absorption of food from the upper portions.

Private gastric bypass surgery is a major procedure and the risk involved in undergoing this surgery is very high. There are a lot of risks associated with this surgery and you should make sure that you’re properly informed before you undergo this weight loss method. Many doctors will also ask you to stop consuming solid foods to prepare for the surgery because it may affect the ability of your stomach to absorb the nutrients that you eat.

This procedure doesn’t work for everyone and you should expect a certain degree of risk. Fortunately, in this article, we’ll explore some Gastric Bypass alternative so you can decide what may work best for you.

  1. Surgical Treatment 

Gastric bypass surgery isn’t the only form of surgery that helps with weight loss. One may also consider Bariatric treatment. This involves removing the stomach through a small hole that’s made in the abdomen through the navel.

In most cases, patients undergoing bariatric surgery will see results after around five years of follow up. The average length of time for this procedure is ten years.

Another popular surgery is the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, which is sometimes combined with the lap-band, where the doctor will make a pouch in the abdomen. This pouch then restricts food and fluid absorption.

To perform the surgery, the patient will need to lose between twenty-five to thirty pounds through diet and exercise. After this point, the doctor will place a band on the stomach so that food and liquid can no longer be absorbed. The dieters will then be required to consume smaller amounts of food or liquids. Take note that the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass may be ineffective without proper exercise.

  1. Stomach Balloons 

Another option is to insert a type of balloon in your stomach through your throat. The balloons work as stomach fillers, making it difficult for you to ingest as much food as you usually do. 

The balloons are inserted and sit in place for six months before being taken out. Once the balloon is out, you may be accustomed to the portions and frequency of eating, allowing you to continue with this lifestyle without the balloons inserted.

  1. Fitness Supplements 

Taking fitness supplements may help you lose weight only if you’re committed to some form of exercise and fitness routines. Different types of fitness supplements may also help you lose fat while building muscles as you exercise, as well as ensure that your energy levels are high as you train. 

Protein helps you lose weight, which, fortunately, supplements are rich in this. Protein increases your metabolism and decreases your appetite, facilitating the beginning of your weight loss process before you begin exercising. 

The reason why some people give up exercising along the way is because of the fatigue that comes with it. However, supplements can maintain the high energy levels that you need so you can see through your session. 

To make sure that you’re purchasing ones high in protein, make sure to become familiar with the different ingredients that are used in supplements. Take note that resorting to supplements is one gastric bypass alternative that may take some time and effort for you to begin enjoying tangible results. 

  1. Exercise 

There are different types of exercising routines that you can include in your lifestyle to help you lose weight. To help you out, you can hire a fitness trainer who has expertise regarding the types of exercises that’ll work best for your unique weight goal and body. You can also follow online exercise routines in the comfort of your home or sign up for a gym membership. 

Exercising doesn’t only mean participating in rigorous activities. Daily activities such as walking, jogging, and dancing, are all ways that you can lose weight without opting for gastric bypass. 

  1. Intermittent Fasting

Intermittent fasting is a diet plan that’s designed around specific eating schedules. There are different ways to partake in intermittent fasting, and you can choose one that would complement your lifestyle and weight loss journey. 

Let take a look at the different types of intermittent fasting plans that may work for you:

  • 5:2 Diet Plan: The 5:2 diet plan means eating healthy food portions for five days of the week. You’re only required to restrict your calorie intake for two days of the week, where you can only take in 500-600 calories. 

Weight loss is facilitated during the two days where your body doesn’t take in any calories and only relies on the intake from the other 5 days.

  • Eat Stop Eat Plan: This plan is a 24 hour fast that’s only meant to be done once or twice a week. The other days are set aside for healthy and normal eating. 

For example, you can decide to fast from Monday’s dinner to Tuesday’s dinner time. You must drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated but avoid caffeine. When you begin, try not to feel pressured by the 24 hours as you can begin with 10, 12, or 14 hours of fasting. 

  • Alternate Day Fasting: You can decide to go without food every other day. This is known as the alternate-day fasting method. This method, however, can cause intense hunger and isn’t recommended for beginners. Before opting for this kind of method, it’s recommended that you start first with less intense methods of fasting. This way, you’ll get accustomed to the concept of fasting.  
  • Warrior Diet: The warrior diet is one that includes fruits and vegetables throughout the day in small portions. At the end of the day, you can then consume one big meal in the form of dinner. Make sure that the dinner you decide to have is rich in nutrients as eating unhealthy and large size portions is counter-productive to your weight-loss goal. 
  • Spontaneous Meal Skipping: Skipping meals spontaneously means eating when you feel as if you want to eat. The times that you skip meals will count as fasting. When you do decide to eat you need to make sure that the meals are healthy to stay on track with your weight goal.

Make sure to consult your doctor before you begin any intermittent fasting method. People with eating disorders aren’t encouraged to begin these diets without medical guidance. You can try the different types until you find one that suits you best. 

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  1. Dentistry Options 

You can involve dentistry work as a means of gastric bypass alternative. Since food needs to be broken down into smaller pieces for us to swallow it in the first place, types of dentistry work can make this process difficult, restricting the amount of food ingested.

  • Tooth Tying: This involves having a wire cap placed on the teeth that you use to chew. These wires are similar to braces and are tightened in such a way that chewing becomes a painful process. You are then forced to enjoy blended foods such as soups and shakes. This means that instead of enjoying heaps of food, you’ll now opt for a bowl of liquids, facilitating your weight-loss journey. 
  • Slow Bite Elastic: A slow bite elastic allows you to eat solids, but very slowly. The elastics make it difficult for you to open your mouth as you normally would. 

The half-open effect means you have to enjoy a smaller portion of food than you would’ve normally eaten. This can only be effective if you eat healthy foods. This is because eating foods saturated in fat won’t help the process, regardless of the elastic purposes.

  • Orthodontic Jaw Wiring: This is the process where your jaw is wired shut so that you can’t open your mouth. This is an uncomfortable option, which should only be chosen if you’re certain that you can see through the process without going through anxiety and panic attacks. You won’t be able to talk and breathe normally as a result. 

If you decide that this option is unbearable, you can always schedule with your dentist to have these removed and choose a less invasive option, such as the slow bite.

  1. Deep Brain Stimulation 

Deep brain stimulation is the process where electrodes are planted in your brain. These electrodes are planted in the region that regulates metabolism and silences the hunger pangs that you would feel throughout the day.

The process is invasive and requires you to be mentally prepared. The doctor will clamp your head and then drill holes in the skull to make room for electrolytes placement. You’ll have to be awake for this procedure because the only way that the surgeon can know that the electrolytes are accurately placed is when you inform them that you feel a warm sensation.

This particular procedure is still in its novice stages. You can consult with a surgeon regarding this process, its advantages, disadvantages, and possible long-term effects based on the handful of patients that it has been performed on.

  1. Nose Tube Diet 

When you deprive your body of carbohydrates, it begins to eat away body fat. The nose tube diet means starving your body of carbohydrates but feeding your brain through a tube. A tube is inserted through the nose and you receive the carbs that are required by the brain for you to be able to function normally.

This means that you’re required to move around with your tube for the duration of the process. You won’t be able to perform certain chores and activities, such as sports, because the tube and pipe will restrict you from being mobile. 

It’s best to opt for this strategy if you’re going to be homebound during that process.

  1. Out Of Sight Out Of Mind 

This method includes simply having to resist the urge to buy foods that contribute to weight gain. Foods that are high in calories and refined sugars and oils must stay in the store and not in your pantry. As long as you have such food stored in your house, you’ll be tempted to eat these. 

If the foods aren’t in your house, you may crave these but have no option but to snack on the healthy foods that are present. Snacking on healthy foods will then become a habit, which helps with weight loss.

  1. Healthy Cooking Methods

For you to lose weight, you have to make sure that the methods you use to prepare home-cooked foods are healthy. You may stack your house with nutritious foods such as chicken and fish. 

However, if you use the deep fat frying method to prepare these, you’re only aiding weight gain because of the fat intake. Repetitively cooking such food using unhealthy preparation methods can lead to health issues beyond weight gain, such as a clogged heart and arteries. 

Healthy cooking methods include steaming, broiling, and grilling. You can explore different recipes to help you get creative with the types of cooking methods you can experiment with so you’ll still be able to enjoy your meals.

Conclusion 

Weight loss journeys may include surgical processes, such as gastric bypass, and other options, such as bariatric surgery. Balloons can also be inserted in your stomach as place holders for food.

Another weight loss option may be in the form of non-surgical methods such as intermittent fasting, which focuses on your diet and specific eating times. If you’re into fitness and exercise as a means of weight loss, you can also consider taking supplements. You can also look into dentistry options such as tooth and jaw tying.

You must also be mindful of the cooking methods you use to prepare your food as this directly affects your weight.

Make sure to consult your doctor before you start on any weight loss journey. Some options work together with others, for example, bariatric surgery requires you to do some exercise. Doctors can advise you on the combination of weight loss methods that can work best for you. Keep in mind that the goal is to lose weight healthily and not to starve yourself to a specific weight goal.

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The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.