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Gastric Bypass Operations for Bariatric Surgery: Things You Need to Know

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

Gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery performed to cut down food intake. In gastric bypass operations, a small stomach pouch is created to limit food intake and bypasses are constructed on segments of the small intestine to decrease its ability to absorb nutrients from food. 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

In the United States, Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RGB) is the most commonly employed gastric bypass procedure because it is less complex and least likely to result in nutritional difficulties. A small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach together and a Y-shaped section in the small intestine is then attached to the pouch. This limits food intake and reduces the ability to absorb calories and nutrients. This is known as .

There are two ways to do Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: traditional and laparoscopic. Traditional Roux-en-Y is performed through 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 more extensive than Roux-en-Y. The aim of this complicated gastric bypass 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

Those who undergo bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery can achieve significant weight loss in two years since a large section of the stomach is bypassed 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.

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 .

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