Gastric Bypass Surgery

Also known as stomach bypass surgery or bariatric bypass surgery, this procedure creates a small pouch that bypasses the stomach and attaches to the intestine. A gastric bypass operation is irreversible, in most cases.

Those who are severely overweight and cannot lose weight through diet and exercise may turn to gastric bypass surgery. Undergoing gastric bypass surgery is a serious commitment to a healthier lifestyle.

Patients must:

• Greatly change their lifestyle.
• Learn to control portion sizes.
• Exercise regularly.
• Doctors may perform this procedure on patients with a high Body Mass Index as well as obesity-related health conditions.

Benefits Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Many people who undergo gastric bypass surgery experience rapid weight loss following the procedure and continue to lose weight months and years later. Reducing or curing a variety of obesity-related illnesses, including diabetes, high blood pressure, and sleep apnea.

Many people who undergo gastric bypass surgery report a decrease in depression and anxiety, as well as improved self-esteem, sexual function, and social interactions.

Methods of Gastric Bypass Surgery

There are two types of gastric bypass surgery, your bariatric surgeon will perform one of two gastric bypass surgeries:

• Laparoscopical method, making several small 1/4- to 1/2-inch abdominal incisions.
• A traditional “open” procedure method, making one 10- to 12-inch abdominal incision.

Surgery time is approximately 1.5 hours, and the hospital stay is two to three days. Recovery time is about two weeks.

How To Lose Weight

Gastric Bypass Surgery restricts the amount of food you can eat and reduces the number of calories your body will absorb. Weight loss is rapid. Expect to lose 60 to 80 percent of excess body weight within 12 to 18 months after surgery.

What To Expect From Gastric Bypass Surgery:

After you receive general anesthesia, your bariatric surgeon will:

• Assess the abdomen and then use surgical staples to create a small pouch at the top of your stomach.
• This pouch — which over time can hold about one cup of food — will be your new, smaller stomach.
• A normal stomach can hold more than four to six cups of food.

Cut the small intestine and attach it to the new pouch.

• With the intestinal bypass, food will now move from the new stomach pouch to the middle section of the small intestine.
• It will bypass the lower stomach and the upper section of the small intestine.
• Attach the upper section of the small intestine to the middle section of the small intestine.
• This will allow digestive fluids, that the lower stomach makes, move down the upper section of the small intestine and into the middle section.
• Close the incisions with staples or stitches.

After Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery

You can expect to stay in the hospital for two to three days.

The morning after your gastric bypass surgery, you will:

• Start a clear liquid diet for at least two weeks. It’s very important that you drink at least 2 litres of fluid every day to avoid becoming dehydrated.
• Begin to go for walks around your room and in the halls.

Immediately before discharge, your bariatric surgery team will give you instructions on how to care for yourself at home, including: Incision and drainage care, pain control and vitamin supplements to get adequate amounts of vitamin B12, iron, and calcium.