Gastric Bypass Surgery

MYFOXNY.COM - Carlos and Jennifer Ortiz from Clifton, N.J., both had gastric bypass surgery. Carlos who weighed at 510 pounds and went under the knife first. His wife had the surgery eight months later. They had surgery at Garden State Bariatrics in MillburnThe Ortizes spoke about their experience on Good Day New York. Watch the video, left.

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:

If you're very overweight and can't lose pounds with a healthy diet and exercise, surgery might be an option for you. The surgery is usually for men who are at least 100 pounds overweight and women who are at least 80 pounds overweight. If you are somewhat less overweight, surgery still might be an option if you also have diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea.

Weight loss surgery limits the amount of food you can take in. Some operations also restrict the amount of food you can digest. Many people who have the surgery lose weight quickly. If you follow diet and exercise recommendations, you can keep most of the weight off. The surgery has risks and complications, however, including infections, hernias and blood clots.

For more information see these resources:

>GARDENSTATEBARIATRICS.COM

>MEDLINE PLUS: WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY

>WEBMD: GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY

>MAYO CLINIC: GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY