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Gastric bypass surgery

Bariatric surgery - gastric bypass; Roux-en-Y gastric bypass; Gastric bypass - Roux-en-Y; Weight-loss surgery - gastric bypass; Obesity surgery - gastric bypass

 

Gastric bypass is surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you eat.

After the surgery, your stomach will be smaller. You will feel full with less food.

The food you eat will no longer go into some parts of your stomach and small intestine that absorb food. Because of this, your body will not get all of the calories from the food you eat.

Description

 

You will have general anesthesia before this surgery. You will be asleep and pain-free.

There are 2 steps during gastric bypass surgery:

  • The first step makes your stomach smaller. Your surgeon uses staples to divide your stomach into a small upper section and a larger bottom section. The top section of your stomach (called the pouch) is where the food you eat will go. The pouch is about the size of a walnut. It holds only about 1 ounce (oz) or 28 grams (g) of food. Because of this you will eat less and lose weight.
  • The second step is the bypass. Your surgeon connects a small part of your small intestine (the jejunum) to a small hole in your pouch. The food you eat will now travel from the pouch into this new opening and into your small intestine. As a result, your body will absorb fewer calories.

Gastric bypass can be done in two ways. With open surgery, your surgeon makes a large surgical cut to open your belly. The bypass is done by working on your stomach, small intestine, and other organs.

Another way to do this surgery is to use a tiny camera, called a laparoscope. This camera is placed in your belly. The surgery is called laparoscopy . The scope allows the surgeon to see inside your belly.

In this surgery:

  • The surgeon makes 4 to 6 small cuts in your belly.
  • The scope and instruments needed to perform the surgery are inserted through these cuts.
  • The camera is connected to a video monitor in the operating room. This allows the surgeon to view inside your belly while doing the operation.

Advantages of laparoscopy over open surgery include:

  • Shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery.
  • Less pain.
  • Smaller scars and a lower risk of getting a hernia or infection.

This surgery takes about 2 to 4 hours.

 

Why the Procedure Is Performed

 

Weight-loss surgery may be an option if you are very obese and have not been able to lose weight through diet and exercise.

Doctors often use the body mass index (BMI) and health conditions such as type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure to determine which people are most likely to benefit from weight-loss surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is not a quick fix for obesity. It will greatly change your lifestyle. After this surgery, you must eat healthy foods, control portion sizes of what you eat, and exercise . If you do not follow these measures, you may have complications from the surgery and poor weight loss.

Be sure to discuss the benefits and risks  with your surgeon.

This procedure may be recommended if you have:

  • A BMI of 40 or more. Someone with a BMI of 40 or more is at least 100 pounds (45 kilograms) over their recommended weight. A normal BMI is between 18.5 and 25.
  • A BMI of 35 or more and a serious medical condition that might improve with weight loss. Some of these conditions are obstructive sleep apnea , type 2 diabetes , and heart disease.

 

Risks

 

Gastric bypass is major surgery and it has many risks. Some of these risks are very serious. You should discuss these risks with your surgeon.

Risks for anesthesia and surgery in general include:

  • Allergic reactions to medicines
  • Breathing problems
  • Bleeding, blood clots, infection

Risks for gastric bypass include:

  • Gastritis (inflamed stomach lining), heartburn, or stomach ulcers
  • Injury to the stomach, intestines, or other organs during surgery
  • Leaking from the line where parts of the stomach have been stapled together
  • Poor nutrition
  • Scarring inside your belly that could lead to a blockage in your bowel in the future
  • Vomiting from eating more than your stomach pouch can hold

 

Before the Procedure

 

Your surgeon will ask you to have tests and visits with other health care providers before you have this surgery. Some of these are:

  • A complete physical exam.
  • Blood tests, ultrasound of your gallbladder, and other tests to make sure you are healthy enough to have surgery.
  • Visits with your doctor to make sure other medical problems you may have, such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart or lung problems, are under control.
  • Nutritional counseling.
  • Classes to help you learn what happens during the surgery, what you should expect afterward, and what risks or problems may occur afterward.
  • You may want to visit with a counselor to make sure you are emotionally ready for this surgery. You must be able to make major changes in your lifestyle after surgery.

If you smoke, you should stop several weeks before surgery and not start smoking again after surgery. Smoking slows recovery and increases the risks for problems. Tell your doctor or nurse if you need help quitting.

Tell your surgeon or nurse:

  • If you are or might be pregnant
  • What medicines, vitamins, herbs, and other supplements you are taking, even ones you bought without a prescription

During the week before your surgery:

  • You may be asked to stop taking medicines that make it hard for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), vitamin E, warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
  • Ask your doctor which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
  • Prepare your home for after the surgery.

On the day of surgery:

  • Follow instructions about when to stop eating and drinking.
  • Take the drugs your doctor told you to take with a small sip of water.
  • Arrive at the hospital on time.

 

After the Procedure

 

Most people stay in the hospital for 1 to 4 days after surgery.

In the hospital:

  • You will be asked to sit on the side of the bed and walk a little on the same day you have surgery.
  • You may have a (tube) catheter that goes through your nose into your stomach for 1 or 2 days. This tube helps drain fluids from your intestine.
  • You may have a catheter in your bladder to remove urine.
  • You will not be able to eat for the first 1 to 3 days. After that, you can have liquids and then pureed or soft foods.
  • You may have a tube connected to the larger part of your stomach that was bypassed. The catheter will come out of your side and will drain fluids.
  • You will wear special stockings on your legs to help prevent blood clots from forming.
  • You will receive shots of medicine to prevent blood clots.
  • You will receive pain medicine. You will take pills for pain or receive pain medicine through an IV, a catheter that goes into your vein.

You will be able to go home when:

  • You can eat liquid or pureed food without vomiting.
  • You can move around without a lot of pain.
  • You do not need pain medicine through an IV or given by shot.

Be sure to follow instructions for how to care for yourself at home .

 

Outlook (Prognosis)

 

Most people lose about 10 to 20 pounds (4.5 to 9 kilograms) a month in the first year after surgery. Weight loss will decrease over time. By sticking to your diet and exercise from the beginning, you lose more weight.

You may lose one half or more of your extra weight in the first 2 years. You will lose weight quickly after surgery if you are still on a liquid or pureed diet.

Losing enough weight after surgery can improve many medical conditions, including:

  • Asthma
  • Gastroesophageal reflux disease ( GERD )
  • High blood pressure
  • High cholesterol
  • Obstructive sleep apnea
  • Type 2 diabetes

Weighing less should also make it much easier for you to move around and do your everyday activities.

To lose weight and avoid complications from the procedure, you will need to follow the exercise and eating guidelines that your doctor and dietitian have given you.

 

 

Open References

References

Buchwald H. Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In: Buchwald H, ed. Buchwald's Atlas of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Techniques and Procedures . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 6.

Buchwald H. Open Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. In: Buchwald H, ed. Buchwald's Atlas of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgical Techniques and Procedures . Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2012:chap 5.

Halperin F, Ding SA, Simonson DC, et al. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery or lifestyle with intensive medical management in patients with type 2 diabetes: feasibility and 1-year results of a randomized clinical trial. JAMA Surg . 2014;149(7):716-726. PMID: 24899464 www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24899464 .

Mingrone G, Panunzi S, De Gaetano A, et al. Bariatric-metabolic surgery versus conventional medical treatment in obese patients with type 2 diabetes: 5 year follow-up of an open-label, single-centre, randomised controlled trial. Lancet . 2015;386(9997):964-973. PMID: 26369473.\ www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26369473 .

Richards WO. Morbid obesity. In: Townsend CM Jr, Beauchamp RD, Evers BM, Mattox KL, eds. Sabiston Textbook of Surgery . 19th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2012:chap 15.

Thompson CC, Morton JM. Surgical and endoscopic treatment of obesity. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease . 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 8.

 
  • Roux-en-Y stomach surgery for weight loss

    Roux-en-Y stomach surgery for weight loss - illustration

    The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure involves creating a stomach pouch out of a small portion of the stomach and attaching it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large part of the stomach and duodenum. Not only is the stomach pouch too small to hold large amounts of food, but by skipping the duodenum, fat absorption is substantially reduced.

    Roux-en-Y stomach surgery for weight loss

    illustration

  • Adjustable gastric banding

    Adjustable gastric banding - illustration

    Restrictive gastric operations, such as an adjustable gastric banding procedure, serve only to restrict and decrease food intake and do not interfere with the normal digestive process. In this procedure, a hollow band made of special material is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating the small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger remaining portion of the stomach. This small passage delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of fullness. The band can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage. Initially, the pouch holds about 1 ounce of food and later expands to 2-3 ounces.

    Adjustable gastric banding

    illustration

  • Vertical banded gastroplasty

    Vertical banded gastroplasty - illustration

    Restrictive gastric operations, such as vertical banded gastroplasty (VGB), serve only to restrict and decrease food intake and do not interfere with the normal digestive process. In this procedure the upper stomach near the esophagus is stapled vertically to create a small pouch along the inner curve of the stomach. The outlet from the pouch to the rest of the stomach is restricted by a band made of special material. The band delays the emptying of food from the pouch, causing a feeling of fullness.

    Vertical banded gastroplasty

    illustration

  • Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD)

    Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) - illustration

    Malabsorptive operations, such as biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), restrict both food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. In a BPD procedure, portions of the stomach are removed. The small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine, completely bypassing the upper part of the small intestines. A common channel remains in which bile and pancreatic digestive juices mix prior to entering the colon. Weight loss occurs since most of the calories and nutrients are routed into the colon where they are not absorbed.

    Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD)

    illustration

  • Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

    Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch - illustration

    Malabsorptive operations restrict both food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. In this procedure, a larger portion of the stomach is left intact, including the pyloric valve that regulates the release of contents from the stomach into the small intestine. The duodenum is divided near this valve, and the small intestine divided as well. The portion of the small intestine connected to large intestine is attached to the short duodenal segment next to the stomach. The remaining segment of the duodenum connected to the pancreas and gallbladder is attached to this limb closer to the large intestine. Where contents from these two segments mix is called the common channel, which dumps into the large intestine.

    Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

    illustration

  • Dumping syndrome

    Dumping syndrome - illustration

    Dumping syndrome occurs when the contents of the stomach empty too quickly into the small intestine. The partially digested food draws excess fluid into the small intestine causing nausea, cramping, diarrhea, sweating, faintness, and palpitations. Dumping usually occurs after the consumption of too much simple or refined sugar in people who have had surgery to modify or remove all or part of the stomach.

    Dumping syndrome

    illustration

    • Roux-en-Y stomach surgery for weight loss

      Roux-en-Y stomach surgery for weight loss - illustration

      The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure involves creating a stomach pouch out of a small portion of the stomach and attaching it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large part of the stomach and duodenum. Not only is the stomach pouch too small to hold large amounts of food, but by skipping the duodenum, fat absorption is substantially reduced.

      Roux-en-Y stomach surgery for weight loss

      illustration

    • Adjustable gastric banding

      Adjustable gastric banding - illustration

      Restrictive gastric operations, such as an adjustable gastric banding procedure, serve only to restrict and decrease food intake and do not interfere with the normal digestive process. In this procedure, a hollow band made of special material is placed around the stomach near its upper end, creating the small pouch and a narrow passage into the larger remaining portion of the stomach. This small passage delays the emptying of food from the pouch and causes a feeling of fullness. The band can be tightened or loosened over time to change the size of the passage. Initially, the pouch holds about 1 ounce of food and later expands to 2-3 ounces.

      Adjustable gastric banding

      illustration

    • Vertical banded gastroplasty

      Vertical banded gastroplasty - illustration

      Restrictive gastric operations, such as vertical banded gastroplasty (VGB), serve only to restrict and decrease food intake and do not interfere with the normal digestive process. In this procedure the upper stomach near the esophagus is stapled vertically to create a small pouch along the inner curve of the stomach. The outlet from the pouch to the rest of the stomach is restricted by a band made of special material. The band delays the emptying of food from the pouch, causing a feeling of fullness.

      Vertical banded gastroplasty

      illustration

    • Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD)

      Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) - illustration

      Malabsorptive operations, such as biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), restrict both food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. In a BPD procedure, portions of the stomach are removed. The small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine, completely bypassing the upper part of the small intestines. A common channel remains in which bile and pancreatic digestive juices mix prior to entering the colon. Weight loss occurs since most of the calories and nutrients are routed into the colon where they are not absorbed.

      Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD)

      illustration

    • Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

      Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch - illustration

      Malabsorptive operations restrict both food intake and the amount of calories and nutrients the body absorbs. In this procedure, a larger portion of the stomach is left intact, including the pyloric valve that regulates the release of contents from the stomach into the small intestine. The duodenum is divided near this valve, and the small intestine divided as well. The portion of the small intestine connected to large intestine is attached to the short duodenal segment next to the stomach. The remaining segment of the duodenum connected to the pancreas and gallbladder is attached to this limb closer to the large intestine. Where contents from these two segments mix is called the common channel, which dumps into the large intestine.

      Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch

      illustration

    • Dumping syndrome

      Dumping syndrome - illustration

      Dumping syndrome occurs when the contents of the stomach empty too quickly into the small intestine. The partially digested food draws excess fluid into the small intestine causing nausea, cramping, diarrhea, sweating, faintness, and palpitations. Dumping usually occurs after the consumption of too much simple or refined sugar in people who have had surgery to modify or remove all or part of the stomach.

      Dumping syndrome

      illustration

    A Closer Look

     

      Talking to your MD

       

      Self Care

       

      Tests for Gastric bypass surgery

       
         

        Review Date: 3/31/2015

        Reviewed By: Ann Rogers, MD, Associate Professor of Surgery; Director, Penn State Surgical Weight Loss Program, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center, Hershey, PA. Internal review and update on 08/05/2016 by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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