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

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

Gastric bypass is a type of 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. Gastric bypass is an extensive procedure performed under general anesthesia and takes up to four hours to complete.

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

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.In the procedure, a small stomach pouch is created by stapling part of the stomach together to limit food intake. A Y-shaped section in the small intestine is then attached to the pouch to reduce calorie and nutrient absorption. The pouch is commonly referred to as stomach stapling.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be done traditionally or by laparoscopy. 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 complicated gastric bypass is 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 traditional RGB, biliopancreatic diversion bypass is performed through open surgery and with one long incision leaving a permanent scar. This procedure is not as widely used as RGB because of the high risk for nutritional deficiencies.

Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

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. The food that is consumed must be rich in protein and highly nutritious so that dietary requirements are met. The person will most likely be unable 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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