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Gastric Bypass Operations for Weight Loss Surgery: Things You Need to Know

Posted by Bariatric Center on Tuesday, March 16th, 2010

Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery or bariatric surgery performed to limit food consumption. Gastric bypass procedures usually create small pouch to limit food intake and bypasses on segments of the small intestine are constructed for malabsorption of food nutrients. The operation usually takes up to four hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia.

How is gastric byspass performed? Gastric bypass currently uses two techniques: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion bypass.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Roux-en Y gastric bypass or RGB is the most commonly employed procedure in the United States. It is less complicated and is least likely to result in nutritional difficulties. The procedure creates a small stomach pouch to limit food intake and the small intestine is attached to the pouch to reduce calorie and nutrient absorption. This is known as stomach stapling.

RGB can be done in two ways: traditional and laparoscopic Traditional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is performed by open surgery with one long incision. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass uses a thin instrument called laparoscope so that the surgeon can view the inside of the abdomen on a TV monitor. Laparoscopic RGB produces less scarring and lets the patient recover faster.

Biliopancreatic diversion bypass (extensive gastric bypass)

Biliopancreatic diversion bypass is a more extensive bypass operation. The aim of this is a smaller stomach. The procedure removes the lower portion of the stomach and a small pouch is left to connect directly to the final segment of the small intestine. This procedure bypasses both the duodenum and jejunum to cause malabsorption of nutrients. Like to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, biliopancreatic diversion bypass is employed through open surgery and with one long incision. It leaves a permanent scar. It is not as widely used as RGB because of the risk for nutritional deficiencies.

Benefits of Gastric Bypass

People who undergo bariatric weight loss surgery can achieve significant loss of weight in 2 years. Since a large section of the stomach is bypassed, only a small pouch is left that severely restricts the amount of food that the person can consume. Patients must consume highly nutritious and protein-rich food to meet dietary requirements. Those who undergo the operation will most likely no longer able to tolerate sugars and carbohydrates which contribute to weight loss.

Gastric bypass surgery also has positive effects on weight-related health concerns such as heart diseases and high blood pressure. Type 2 diabetes can also be eradicated by gastric bypass surgery.

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