pic

What is gastric bypass?

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, or gastric bypass, is a procedure that’s widely known as the gold standard of bariatric surgery. In a gastric bypass, your University Bariatrics surgeon creates a small pouch, approximately the size of an egg, in the top part of your stomach. 

They divide the small intestine into two parts and then connect the Roux limb (in the middle part of the small intestine) to the new stomach pouch. After a gastric bypass procedure, food moves from the new stomach pouch into the Roux limb, skipping most of the stomach and the hormonally active portion of the small intestine. 

There are several variations in gastric bypass approaches, but the general approach is usually the same. The University Bariatrics surgeons have successfully performed hundreds of gastric bypasses using laparoscopic small-incision techniques. 

They have an outstanding surgical record with zero fatalities, no anastomotic strictures (narrowing in the stomach-small intestine connection), no staple line leaks, and no conversions to open surgery.

What are the goals of gastric bypass?

The goals of gastric bypass include:

  • Restricting the amount of food and liquid your stomach can hold
  • Limiting calorie and nutrient absorption
  • Altering stomach hormones (eliminating the “hunger hormone”) so you feel full longer
  • Reversing metabolic problems related to extra weight, like Type 2 diabetes
  • Extended life expectancy

Ultimately, gastric bypass surgery can help you make the changes necessary to reclaim your health. It’s not a magic wand, however. Gastric bypass works best when you work hand-in-hand with your medical specialists to lose weight using healthy lifestyle changes. 

How much weight can I lose with gastric bypass?

On average, patients who undergo sleeve gastrectomy lose 100-150 pounds at the one-year mark following their procedure. Just 10-15% of patients regain a significant amount of weight, even years after their gastric bypass surgery. 

Who qualifies for gastric bypass?

In general, patients who want to qualify for gastric bypass at University Bariatrics must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more. Or, you can have a BMI of 35 or more alongside weight-related conditions like Type 2 diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea, or high blood pressure.

There’s a history of proven success in Type 2 diabetics with lower BMIs as well. 

Your University Bariatrics provider evaluates your case individually to determine whether a gastric bypass procedure or another option like sleeve gastrectomy is a good fit for you. 

Call the University Bariatrics office nearest you or click the online appointment maker to schedule a gastric bypass consultation today. 

University Bariatrics