Today's media seems to paint often unrealistic yet dramatic news stories of gastric bypass patients who have lost a tremendous amount of weight.

While gastric bypass surgery may dramatically change your life, there's another part to the story as well. We must also remember the frightening, and often quite serious, potential for side effects.

Gastric bypass surgery is typically an option for those who have a body mass index of at least 40 or more. This surgery may also be indicated for those who are severely disabled by their weight.

Gastric bypass surgery is certainly not indicated for those patients who are just a few dozen pounds over their ideal body weight, but rather it is indicated for those whose very life may be in danger by the excess weight on their body.

Other qualifications for gastric bypass surgery include the requirement that you must have been morbidly obese for at least the past 60 months. This must be well documented by the medical records. Generally gastric bypass surgery is only performed on those who are between the ages of 18 and 65; however, in some extreme circumstances of gastric bypass surgery has even been performed on teenagers.

Some of the more serious surgical risks of gastric bypass surgery include things such as blood clots, infection, and even internal leaking from the stomach's surgical site. Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery are also at a much higher risk for the development of gallstones because of the excessive and quick weight loss which generally occurs immediately following surgery.

For those who are morbidly obese and qualify for gastric bypass surgery, weight loss typically happens at a rapid pace. Following a convalescence period of approximately four to six weeks, most patients began to resume their more normal activities of daily living.

Weight loss generally occurs quickly during the first several weeks and seems to continue for approximately the first year. It is also important to remember because of the anatomical reconfiguration that results from this surgery, the majority of patients will be required to take vitamin B12 and iron supplements in order to sufficiently provide their body with enough of these vitamins and minerals. However this decision is always best managed by the physician.

Yes there are many in the healthcare community and general population who are strongly opposed to gastric bypass surgery as a whole.

The typical concern seems to be that gastric bypass surgery is a quick fix and simply ignores the underlying issues which caused the obesity in the first place.

This is indeed an important point to consider since gastric bypass surgery is a rarely successful without the patient taking ownership and accountability for a complete and total lifestyle change. It seems gastric bypass surgery may best be described as simply a jumpstart.

Gastric bypass surgery, while having gained more and more social acceptance over the past few years, must still be acknowledged for the serious surgery and major life event in which it is. It is not a surgery or a decision which should be taken lightly.

Gastric bypass surgery can certainly change your life, and for some patients who are morbidly obese and who have repeatedly failed diet after diet it may be the last reasonable solution to lose the weight they have battled over the years.