Gastric Bypass Procedure
What is it?
Gastric bypass operations are more extensive th
an the Gastric Band procedure.
There are several varieties of bypass procedure.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RGB)
With this procedure a small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach together or vertical banding. This limits how much food you can eat.
Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the duodenum as well as the first portion of the jejunum.
Biliopancreatic diversion Gastric Bypass (BPD)
In this more complicated version, portions of the stomach are removed and the small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine.
This means that most of the small intestine (duodenum and jejunum) is bypassed, resulting in substantial reductions in calorie and and nutrient absorption.
The diagram on the right shows what effect a Biliopancreatic diversion has on the stomach.
1) The small intestine is connected to the stomach pouch.
2) Here we show the removed portion of stomach area.
3) The Pancreas
How long does a gastric-bypass take?
This depends on the experience of the surgeon and if it is being done as an open or closed (keyhole) procedure. Open gastric bypass operations usually take 90-120 minutes, but laparoscopic bypasses may take up to twice as long to perform.
A Word of Caution
Although there is no doubt that surgery can be both life-transforming and life-saving, the decision to go ahead with surgery is a serious one. Any general anaesthetic involves a measure of risk and individuals with serious degrees of obesity are at greater risk than their non-obese counterparts.
You should ensure that the surgeon you choose is experienced and that the full panoply of specialist advice is available at the hospital you choose. The choice of surgeon is crucial. This is not a procedure for the general surgeon. It should only be carried out by those who are specially trained in the surgery of the upper abdomen (upper GI surgeons). For queries on gastric bypass contact us on gastric bypass.
The Need for Long-Term Follow Up
A final note of caution is to remember that surgery is not a cure for obesity. It is not a magic bullet and will not guarantee results without complete dedication by yourself and by your physician.
If you are going to be successful you will have to continue to work on the behaviours which are important for anyone attempting to lose weight, including physical activity, reducing portion sizes, avoiding energy-dense foods etc.
For this reason, you should ensure the hospital of your choice has available a structured, long-term behavioural and lifestyle programme, with nutritional support, which you should join immediately after surgery.
