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Bariatric Surgery (Weight Loss Surgery)

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach.

What is Gastric Bypass? Advantages Risks Contact Us

Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of the stomach so it can only hold a small amount of food. This causes you to feel full very quickly. In addition, a “shortcut” is created from the new stomach to the small intestine, causing food to “bypass” a portion of the digestive process. This “bypassing” allows for fewer calories to be absorbed and therefore causes a good deal of weight loss.

Advantages of the Gastric Bypass

Average gastric bypass patients will lose approximately 80% of their excess body weight.
The stomach is reduced to the size of an egg and the amount of food that can be eaten is restricted.
The anatomic and hormonal changes associated with the gastric bypass reduce hunger in patients.

Risks/Complications Related to the Gastric Bypass

Standard risks associated with surgery, like pain, bleeding, blood clots and infection.
Nausea and vomiting.
“Dumping syndrome” which includes dizziness, lightheadedness and diarrhea after eating high sugar foods.
Ulcers that can cause bleeding or perforations (holes in the bowel). This is more commonly seen in smokers and patients taking NSAIDS (ibuprofen, advil, aleve for example).
Leakage and/or bleeding at the suture/staple line.
Vitamin and protein deficiency.