Gastric bypass surgery

One of the most popular forms of obesity surgery. It is a safe and effective procedure that can lead to dramatic weight loss in many patients. Opting for this procedure does mean that you will have to follow a special diet and take a daily nutritional supplement for the rest of your lifetime.

What is a gastric bypass?

A gastric bypass is a complex procedure which involves dividing the stomach and small intestine. It falls into the restrictive/malabsorptive category of obesity surgery and involves two stages - reducing the volume of the stomach to restrict food intake and then, rearranging the small intestine to affect the absorption of food.

It requires a high degree of skill on the part of the surgeon and can take between one to four hours to complete. It is usually performed under a general anaesthetic and you can expect to stay in hospital for at least two days following surgery. The restrictive nature of the procedure means a reduced calorie intake that will result in a weight loss of 60 to 70% in the first twelve months after surgery. This along with the aftercare plan needs to be followed in order to sustain this weight loss.

There are two type of gastric bypass – the traditional ‘Roux-en-Y’ procedure and the newer ‘mini gastric bypass’.

And, there are two techniques available for gastric bypass:

  • Traditional ‘open’ surgery
  • Newer ‘laparoscopic’ surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery Guide sections

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