Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery is used to treat morbid obesity and the resulting health problems. There are a number of different surgical procedures that fall under the gastric bypass surgery umbrella. A typical procedure involves dividing the stomach into two pouches of different sizes. This serves to reduce the amount of food that is required to fill the stomach. The small intestine is then reconnected to the pouches using one of several different methods. This allows food to bypass part of the small intestine.

5 Things You Need to Know

  1. The death rate among patients who have undergone gastric bypass surgery is reduced by up to 40 percent.
  2. Around 140,000 gastric bypass surgeries were performed last year.
  3. Gastric bypass surgery is one of four possible operations for treating morbid obesity. It is becoming less popular among bariatric surgeons.
  4. Gastric bypass surgery can be performed by making a large incision in the abdomen and using traditional surgical tools (the open method) or by making a small incision and using a camera and small surgical tools (the laparoscopic method).
  5. The most common type of gastric bypass surgery is called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

3 Questions You Need to Ask Your Doctor

  1. Does my body type make me a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery?
  2. How much weight can I expect to lose?
  3. How long will I have to stay in the hospital after my surgery? (The answer will depend on what type of gastric bypass surgery you have.)

Also Known As: N/A

Your health is too important to take lightly. The information on this website is intended to start you down the path to living well, but it’s only just the beginning.

Each of us is unique, and we all deserve the individual attention that only a health care professional can provide. So do what’s in your best interest - take the next step and find doctors or surgeons in your area today.