- Required BMIStarting from 30kg/m2
- Expected weight loss70-80% of excess body weight
- Surgery time1 – 1.5 hours
- Hospital stay3 nights
- Sick leave2 weeks
- Need for supplementsLife-long need
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass surgery is the most popular type of weight loss surgery in the world and the so-called gold standard of weight loss surgeries. The reason for this is good and sustained loss of weight, very good control of accompanying diseases and low risk of surgical complications. The long-term results of the surgery – weight loss, effect on accompanying diseases, low mortality rate – are well documented and reliable.
There are two components to the procedure. First, a small stomach pouch, approximately one ounce or 30 millilitres in volume, is created by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest of the stomach. Next, the first portion of the small intestine is divided, and the bottom end of the divided small intestine is brought up and connected to the newly created small stomach pouch.
The procedure is completed by connecting the top portion of the divided small intestine to the small intestine further down so that the stomach acids and digestive enzymes from the bypassed stomach and first portion of small intestine will eventually mix with the food.
The main difference of gastric bypass surgery compared with sleeve gastrectomy is the shortening of the food’s path in the digestive system.
How does gastric bypass surgery work?
First, the newly created small stomach pouch necessitates significantly smaller meals. As a result, patients feel full after eating a small quantity of food, and thus consume less calories.
Secondly, because there is less digestion of food by the smaller stomach pouch and bypassed part of the small bowel, some extent less absorption of calories and nutrients will occur.
Additionally, rerouting of the food stream leads to changes in gut hormones that promote satiety and suppress hunger.
Facts about Gastric Bypass surgery
Long term effects of the Bypass surgery
Possible complications after Gastric Bypass
Pros & cons of Gastric Bypass surgery
- 70-80% excess body weight loss, lasting results.
- Rise of life expectancy.
- 95% of patients experience improvement in their life quality.
- Type 2 diabetes goes into remission in 75-85% cases.
- Sleep apnoea and snoring disappear in 90% cases.
- Disappearance or major relief from back and joint pain.
- Reversal of the procedure and restoration of the original anatomy is possible.
- The risk of serious surgical complications (ones that need reoperation, blood transfusion or a hospitalisation of more than 1 week) is low: 1,5%.
- There is a large amount of data published about the long-term outcomes of the treatment compared to other types of weight loss surgery.
- Heartburn disappears in 100% cases.
- Long term usage of food supplements and vitamins is necessary for all patients.
- The need to take annual blood tests.
- Intolerance of certain food ingredients (lactose, fats, simple sugars).
- Stomach ache episodes experienced by approx. 10% of patients.
- Dumping syndrome experienced by approx. 20% of patients.
- Small bowel obstruction experienced by approx. 2-3% of patients.
- The risk of forming an ulcer in the stomach pouch (for smokers and chronic pain killer users).
- Risk of anaemia (low haemoglobin), caused by low iron levels. Women of child-bearing age most at risk.
- The limit of consumption of alcohol, especially for men.