The Gastric Bypass is a procedure which entails the rerouting of intestines to bypass the majority of the stomach and duodenum. To achieve this a small stomach pouch is created, and the rest of the stomach is stapled shut. The small intestine is then separated into two sections and the new stomach pouch is connected to the lower potion of the small intestine. The new stomach pouch now leads directly into the lower portion of the small intestine known as the jejunum, and by doing so it avoids the calorie absorption in the upper portion known as the duodenum. The upper portion of the intestine is then reconnected to the lower portion. Watch the animated Bypass video below.
What is the Gastric Bypass?
What are the advantages of gastric bypass surgery?
The major advantage of gastric bypass surgery is the dramatic weightloss it can produce. This weightloss can quickly improve or resolve other health issues associated with carrying serious levels of excess weight.
These serious health issues may include:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GORD/GERD)
Improving associated illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure & high cholesterol may significantly decrease your risk of having a stroke or a heart attack. Of course, losing excess weight can also improve your quality of life & your ability to perform everyday tasks. Within the first two years of surgery, you can expect to lose 50 to 60 percent of your excess weight3.
Gastric bypass is not a miracle however. Losing weight can certainly improve your health however this major surgery will only work if you are committed to the process of changing your lifestyle for good. It is up to you to make the lifelong changes to your eating and exercise habits necessary for optimum health outcomes.
If you are a smoker you will need to cease smoking prior to the Gastric Bypass being performed.
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