Gastric bypass surgery involves the reduction or removal of part of the stomach to aid weight loss.
Gastric bypass surgery is a weight loss procedure that reduces the size of the stomach to limit food intake. The surgeon also reroutes part of the small intestine so that food bypasses most of the stomach and intestines. After surgery, patients eat less and lose weight more quickly than with other methods.
Gastric bypass surgery may be an option for you if you are obese or morbidly obese (having a BMI over 40) and have tried dieting but have not seen lasting results; or if your obesity has caused serious health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnoea, stroke, or arthritis pain in your knees or hips from carrying around extra weight on your joints. There are many factors to consider when deciding if this type of weight loss procedure is right for you — read on to find out how it works and why you might consider it.
What does the procedure involve?
During gastric bypass surgery, the size of the stomach is reduced, and the small bowel’s ability to absorb nutrients is altered.
There are a number of types of bypass procedures. These include Roux-En-Y gastric bypass (RYGB), which is the traditional method in which the stomach is made smaller but not removed; loop gastric bypass, which involves a reduction in the size of the stomach and a loop of the small intestine is joined to the stomach pouch; and SIPS SADI, which involves a sleeve gastrectomy, as well as a bypass operation. The SIPS SADI procedure differs from the loop bypass in that a portion of the stomach is removed and a bypass is created from the duodenum to the small bowel, rather than the stomach to the small bowel.
Gastric bypass surgery is generally performed laparoscopically, which means that it is minimally invasive. The type of procedure that is best for you will depend on a few factors, and your surgeon will guide you through the process and address any questions that you have.
What can you expect after surgery?
After gastric bypass surgery, you will need to change your dietary habits quite considerably. For the first day following surgery, you will need to drink clear liquids only, after which you can eat pureed foods for around four weeks.
After around a month, you will be able to slowly incorporate soft foods into your diet, and in time, you will be able to eat a wider variety of foods.
Portion control is very important after gastric bypass surgery as you won’t be able to eat as much as you once did.
How can we help?</h4
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Dr Stephen Watson offers a range of weight loss procedures, including gastric bypass surgery. If you are significantly obese and are struggling with health issues related to your weight, you might consider bariatric surgery.
It is important to understand that although gastric bypass surgery has many benefits, it is not without its risks. If you are interested in the procedure, we encourage you to come in and see Dr Watson for a consultation. This will give you the opportunity to learn more about the surgery and to raise any questions or concerns that you might have.
If you would like to find out more about gastric bypass surgery and what the process involves, please have a look here.
Dr Stephen Watson also offer a range of other bariatric procedures, including Elipse balloon; gastric sleeve surgery; gastric banding; and revisional weight loss surgery. If you would like to find out more about the procedures that are available, please have a look here.
If you would like to arrange a consultation with Dr Watson, please get in touch here or give us a call on (08) 6311 7578. Dr Watson and his team look forward to welcoming you and guiding you through your treatment of choice, as well as your weight loss journey in the months and years after surgery.
