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Gastric Bypass Operations for Bariatric Surgery: What You Need to Know
Gastric bypass is a kind 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 surgery is a complicated procedure performed under general anesthesia. The surgery takes about one to four hours followed by a one-to seven-day stay in the hospital.
How is gastric bypass surgery performed? There are currently two techniques for gastric bypass, Roux-en-Y-gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion bypass.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (traditional and laparoscopic)
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 (extensive gastric bypass)
Biliopancreatic diversion bypass is more extensive than Roux-en-Y.This complicated gastric bypass aims for a smaller stomach that holds less food. 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 procedure 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.
Advantages of Gastric Bypass
Those who undergo bariatric surgery or weight loss surgery can achieve significant weight loss in two years since a large section of the stomach is bypassed 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.
