Gastric Bypass Surgery

The Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) operation works by reducing the size of the stomach to 1-2 ounces (to limit how much can eaten at once) and bypassing a short segment of intestine (to slightly limit absorption of the food eaten).

This is done by stapling off a portion of the stomach to form a small pouch and attaching the limb of the intestine to that pouch. This creates a pathway for food to bypass most of the stomach and a short segment of the small intestine.

Almost all of the surgeries done here are laparoscopic, also called minimally invasive surgery. This type of surgery requires a few small incisions with less pain than open surgery.

The video below provides a visual representation of this surgery:

Benefits of Surgery

Gastric Bypass Surgery works in many ways:

• It limits the amount of food you can consume at one time.
• It enables you to feel satisfied after smaller portions.
• It provides you with a “tool” to help achieve the permanent weight loss you desire.
• Patients who adopt permanent lifestyle changes, both through eating changes and exercise, are usually able to keep their weight off.
• Most importantly, gastric bypass surgery often helps eliminate many of these medical problems:
  • Chronic Headaches
  • Diabetes
  • Heel Pain
  • High Blood Pressure
  • High Cholesterol
  • Joint Pain
  • Leg Swelling
  • Leg Ulcers
  • Menstrual Irregularities
  • Obesity Hypoventilation Syndrome
  • Pseudotumor Cerebri
  • Reflux (Heartburn)
  • Shortness of Breath
  • Sleep Apnea
  • Urine Control Problems

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