Weight Loss Surgery

Gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, is the most commonly performed bariatric surgery option. During the procedure, the surgeon creates a smaller stomach pouch which restricts the amount of food that can be consumed (restriction). The surgeon then attaches one end of a Y-shaped section of the small intestine directly to the pouch. This allows food to bypass the remainder stomach and a portion of the small intestine, where the majority of the calories and some nutrients are absorbed (malabsorption). Having the smaller stomach pouch causes patients to feel fuller sooner and eat less food.

Gastric bypass surgery usually takes two to three hours to perform through small incisions. Patients typically stay in the hospital for two days following the surgery for observation during their recovery.

Life After Gastric Bypass

Excess Weight Loss

Initially, gastric bypass patients lose at least 70-75% of their excess body weight, and in some studies these patients are able to keep greater than 61.6% of the excess body weight off for up to 20 years.

Health Benefits

Studies found that gastric bypass:

• Resolved type 2 diabetes in 83.8% of patients and often resolved the disease within days of surgery
• Resolved high blood pressure in 75.4% of patients
• Improved high cholesterol in 95% of patients

Quality of Life

Many bariatric surgery patients who have significant weight loss experience:

• Improved overall quality of life
• Improved physical functioning and appearance
• Improved social and economic opportunities

Recovery

Our Bariatric & Metabolic Services team will advise you on when to resume normal activities and when to return to work. You are encouraged to take several weeks away from work. You will need this time to focus on a new way to eat and get accustomed to a new way of life.

Potential Concerns of Gastric Bypass

As with any major medical procedure there are concerns to consider including:

• A condition known as dumping syndrome can occur from eating high-fat, high-sugar foods. While this isn’t considered a health risk, the results can be unpleasant and may include vomiting, nausea, rapid heart rate, weakness, sweating, faintness and diarrhea.
• Patients must supplement their diet with bariatric supplements for the rest of their life. Some patients must take supplemental vitamin B-12 and/or iron pending the results of follow-up lab tests.
• The stomach, duodenum and parts of the small intestine cannot be seen easily using X-ray or endoscopy if there are problems after surgery such as ulcers, bleeding or malignancy, but this is rare.

The gastric sleeve procedure permanently alters the size of your stomach by removing about 85% of the lower portion of the stomach, creating a thin, vertical sleeve – about the size and shape of a small banana. 
The gastric sleeve procedure usually takes a little more than an hour to perform. Patients typically stay at the hospital for one to two days following surgery for observation during their recovery.

Recovery

The Bariatric and Metabolic Services team will advise you of when to resume normal activities and when to return to work. You may be encouraged to take several weeks away from work. You will need this time to focus on a new way to eat and get accustomed to your new way of life.