With the number of people suffering from obesity rising so rapidly in America it was only a matter of time before the miracle cure for those who were morbidly obese. Is it all really as simple as stapling your stomach?

The gastric bypass has suffered both positive and negative press since it's availability to the general public. We've heard the fatal horror stories resulting in death months down the line after the surgery, but we've also heard the success stories by hundreds of satisfied and much trimmer people!

The surgery sounds simple, the surgeon will tie off part of your stomach creating a re-route around the rest of the stomach which reduces the amount of food the person can take in, causing them to feel hungry after only a few bites. Its clear why the gastric bypass works and why weight loss is very rapid after the surgery.

While it sounds simple on the surface the gastric bypass is actually a very complex procedure, both for the surgeon and the patient, mentally and physically. The rigid diet a patient must stick to afterwards could be challenging and there are important nutrients to take.

You should always seek professional advice if you're thinking about having the gastric bypass, and remember there are many other ways of weight loss. Invasive surgery always carries a risk.