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

Posted by Bariatric Center on Monday, March 15th, 2010

Gastric bypass is a type of bariatric surgery intended to cut down food intake. A small pouch is created to limit the amount of food you can take and bypasses on segments of the small intestine are constructed to reduce its ability to absorb nutrients. The operation usually takes up to four hours to complete and is performed under general anesthesia.

How is gastric byspass performed? There are currently two techniques for gastric bypass: (1) Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass or RGB and (2)biliopancreatic diversion bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass or RGB

Roux-en Y gastric bypass (RGB) is the most commonly performed gastric bypass procedure in the United States because it is less complicated 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 stomach stapling.

RGB can be done in two ways: traditional and laparoscopic Traditional RGB is performed through open surgery with one long incision. Laparoscopic RGB on the other hand uses a thin instrument called laparoscope that allows the surgeon to clearly view the inside of the abdomen on a TV monitor. This procedure causes less scarring and lets the patient recover faster.

Biliopancreatic diversion bypass

Biliopancreatic diversion bypass is more extensive than RGB.It is a complicated gastric bypass that aims for a smaller stomach.Unlike RGB, 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 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.

Advantages 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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