Gastric Bypass Surgery

Generally defined, gastric bypass surgery describes any bariatric procedure that alters the digestive tract so that certain parts are "bypassed." When food passes through this altered tract, the body absorbs fewer calories than normal. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RGB) is the most commonly performed weight loss surgery. This method of gastric bypass combines the restrictive and malabsorptive approaches to bariatric surgery. The mini gastric bypass (MGB) is a quick laparoscopic surgery that usually takes only 30 minutes to complete.

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery can be performed either laparoscopically or by using an open incision.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery involves making several small incisions in the abdomen and performing the gastrointestinal operation using a laparoscope and specially designed surgical instruments. A tiny video camera is attached to one of the laparoscopes and inserted into an incision. The surgeon performs the procedure while watching the video image on a TV monitor.

Alternatively, the gastric bypass surgeon can perform the procedure through a larger abdominal incision, referred to as the open surgery technique. This approach may result in more scarring, greater pain, and a longer recovery period than the laparoscopic method.

After the patient has properly prepared for bariatric surgery, the gastric bypass surgeon uses special staples to section off a portion of the stomach, creating a small pouch about the size of one's thumb. Once the pouch has been created, the small intestine is bisected at a predetermined spot. The lower part of the small intestine (that leads on to the large intestine) is then attached to the new stomach pouch. Food will now bypass the lower stomach and the top part of the small intestine, the duodenum, where the majority of calories are absorbed. Because the top section of the small intestine is where essential digestive juices like bile and pancreatic juice enter the system, the bisected end is then reattached to the lower small intestine closer to the large intestine. The connection point resembles a "Y," which is reflected in the name Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

As with any surgery, there are certain risks involved with bariatric surgery. Patients will receive specific post-operative instructions on how to adjust their diet and physical activity to accommodate their newly configured digestive system. If you are interested in Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery and would like to learn more about how this procedure could release you from a lifetime of crippling obesity, please visit our benefits of weight loss surgery page.

Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery

In comparison to traditional gastric bypass surgery and even the popular Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, mini gastric bypass surgery is less invasive and requires less time for surgery and recovery. Instead of a small pouch, the mini gastric bypass surgery procedure creates a narrow tube that is attached to the small intestine approximately six feet from its starting point, a placement that bypasses the highly absorptive section of the intestine. Because no large incision is needed to perform mini gastric bypass surgery, there is a lower risk of large surgical scars or hernia.

Locate a Gastric Bypass Surgeon in Your Area

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