Gastric bypass surgery on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Gastric bypass is the second most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the United States, and is also a very popular option in bariatric surgery in both Naples and Fort Myers, Florida. In recent years, the procedure became widely practiced using minimally invasive techniques which usually reduces hospital stays, and leads to a faster, more comfortable recovery.
During gastric bypass, Dr. Bass reduces the size of your stomach by creating a small pouch at the top and then allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. The pouch is about the size of a walnut and holds abut an ounce of food. This reduces the amount of food you can eat before feeling full. The upper portion of the small intestine is then divided in half. One half is used to form a new outlet for the tiny new stomach pouch. The other half is reconnected downstream from the division, forming the “Y” described in the name Roux-en-Y.
Because the first part of your small intestine is bypassed, there is less opportunity for food calories to be absorbed into your body resulting in additional weight loss.
Although most of your stomach and the upper part of the small intestine no longer have food traveling through them, they still produce important digestive juices that are emptied into the small intestine and help with digestion.
What to expect from Bypass
Most people that have gastric bypass experience a 50 to 60 percent reduction in excess weight in the first two years following surgery*. The weight loss is related to how closely you follow the dietary and exercise guidelines that Dr. Bass and his bariatric surgery team provide for you. Often, patients in both Naples and Fort Myers, Florida are very successful in meeting their weight loss goals after having a gastric bypass procedure.
Other benefits that patients often see following weight loss surgery are:
- Improvement or resolution of Type 2 diabetes
- Reduction in blood pressure
- Reduction in blood cholesterol levels
- Improvement or resolution of sleep apnea
- Improvement in mobility and ability to perform your daily activities
*Richardson WS, Plaisance AM, Periou L, Buquoi J, Tillery D. Long-term Management of Patients After Weight Loss Surgery. The Ochsner Journal. 2009;9(3):154-159.