Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a surgical procedure for weight loss. It involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and directly connecting it to the small intestine. By doing so, food bypasses most of the stomach and the initial portion of the small intestine.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a widely performed bariatric surgery procedure. It is typically recommended when conventional methods such as diet and exercise have not been successful in achieving weight loss or when individuals experience significant health issues due to their weight.
Who is gastric bypass surgery suitable for?
In general, gastric bypass and other weight-loss surgeries may be considered as an option for individuals who meet the following criteria:
- Body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, indicating extreme obesity.
- BMI of 35 to 39.9, indicating obesity, along with a significant weight-related health issue such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or severe sleep apnea.
- In some cases, individuals with a BMI of 30 to 34, combined with serious weight-related health problems, may qualify for certain types of weight-loss surgery.
It’s important to note that gastric bypass surgery is not suitable for every individual with severe obesity. Specific medical guidelines must be met to qualify for weight-loss surgery, and an extensive screening process is usually conducted to determine eligibility.
Gastric Bypass Procedure
Before your gastric bypass surgery begins, you will receive general anesthesia. This ensures that you are asleep and comfortable throughout the procedure.
The specifics of your gastric bypass surgery will depend on your individual circumstances and the practices of your doctor. While some surgeries may involve traditional large incisions in the abdomen, most gastric bypass procedures are performed laparoscopically. This minimally invasive approach involves making several small incisions in the abdomen and inserting specialized instruments.
Once the incisions are made, the surgeon divides the top portion of your stomach from the rest, creating a small pouch roughly the size of a walnut. This pouch can only hold about an ounce of food, compared to the normal capacity of approximately 3 pints for the entire stomach.
Next, the surgeon cuts the small intestine and attaches a section of it directly to the pouch. This allows food to enter the small pouch and then flow directly into the middle part of the small intestine, bypassing most of the stomach and the initial portion of the small intestine.
The duration of the surgery typically lasts a few hours. After the procedure, you will wake up in a recovery room, where medical staff will monitor you for any potential complications.