Gastric Bypass Surgery for Weight Loss

Gastric bypass is a bariatric surgery that promotes weight loss for those who are struggling with obesity and any obesity-related conditions. Gastric bypass changes your digestive system to limit the amount of food you can consume and how much of the nutrients your body can absorb. This form of weight loss surgery is also effective in reducing the risk of obesity-related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease and hypertension.

How Gastric Bypass Surgery Works

Gastric bypass involves the division of your stomach by stapling so that a smaller stomach pouch is created and connected to your small intestine. This allows the food to avoid most of the stomach and the upper parts of the small intestine. This not only limits the amount of food you can consume, but because the surgery is changing the way you digest food, it also limits the amount of nutrients and calories your body can absorb. These two effects lead to weight loss.

During Gastric Bypass Surgery

During the gastric bypass procedure, several small incisions are made. A laparoscope (a small camera) will be inserted into one, allowing Dr. Bass to see the inside of your stomach on a monitor.

Through the other incisions, thin surgical instruments will be inserted and used to cut across the top of your stomach, creating a small pouch that is sealed off from the rest of the stomach. Dr. Bass then divides the upper portion of the small intestine into two halves. One half of the intestine becomes an outlet for the smaller stomach pouch, and the other is reconnected away from the new stomach pouch giving the shape of a “y”. Gastric bypass surgery generally lasts 90 minutes, and you will have to stay in the hospital for two days following the procedure for recovery.

Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

• 60 to 65 percent reduction of excess weight
• Decreased blood pressure
• Decreased cholesterol levels
• Resolution and deceased risk of obesity-related diseases (heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, metabolic syndrome and more)
• Improved quality of life

To fully benefit from gastric bypass, there will be dietary changes and lifestyle modifications that you must keep up with.

Possible Complications from Gastric Bypass

Although gastric bypass is a safe procedure with numerous benefits, there are potential risks and complications, such as:

• Internal bleeding
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Internal hernias

It is important to follow up with your surgeon regularly to avoid any potential complications. You also want to make sure that you are following your diet closely and taking any supplements recommended, which helps prevent future complications like malnutrition and vitamin deficiencies.