In the old days, cosmetic surgery was mainly the preserve of 'mature' Hollywood types who had the odd nip and tuck to stave off the inevitable. But it's all change. Today, more of us are dissatisfied with the way we look – and that's happening earlier and earlier. Statistics show that we are seeking out surgery as early as our twenties (and in some cases, our teens), and while that's mostly women, more men are having procedures too.

In addition to this, cosmetic surgery 'holidays' to destinations such as Turkey and India, and interest-friendly payment plans, are making cosmetic surgery more and more accessible.

Gastric Bypass Surgery

A thin woman

Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery that works by making your stomach smaller and removing part of your bowel to make your digestive system shorter. This means that you can only eat small meals and your body will take up less calories from the food you eat. Depending on the surgical technique used, you will need to stay in hospital about three to five days.

Your surgeon will explain the benefits and risks of having a gastric bypass, and will also discuss the alternatives to the procedure.

Your surgeon will use surgical staples to create a pouch from the upper part of the stomach. A section of your small intestine is then cut out, making it shorter. It is re-connected to the pouch so that food bypasses part of your digestive system and is absorbed less easily by the body. Gastric bypass can be done using keyhole (laparoscopic) or open surgery. The operation may take two to three hours.

A gastric bypass is a major operation that changes the way the digestive system works. For most people, the benefits in terms of losing excess weight are much greater than any disadvantages. However, the operation carries an element of risk. In order to make an informed decision and give your consent, you need to be aware of the possible side-effects and the risk of complications.

Side-effects are the unwanted but mostly temporary effects of a successful treatment. Afterwards, you are likely to have some bruising, pain and swelling of the skin around the healing wound(s) for a few days.

You may feel or be sick after eating, especially if you try to eat too much. If you eat sugary foods it can make you feel faint and sweaty. This is called "dumping" syndrome. You will usually need to take vitamin supplements due to the restricted diet, and your bowel absorbs less well than before surgery.

Complications are when problems occur during or after the operation. Most people are not affected. The possible complications of any surgery include an unexpected reaction to the anaesthesia or excessive bleeding during or soon after surgery. A blood transfusion may be required to replace the lost blood.

It is extremely risky – death even – but infection, etc. plus you may not lose sufficient weight and have to have the operation repeated.