Gastric bypass
Gastric bypass surgery is a restrictive surgery with a hypoabsorptive component. The surgeon will make a small gastric pouch to which he will reattach part of the small intestine.
The small gastric pouch will cause early satiety (feeling full faster), so the ability to ingest food will decrease. In addition, food will no longer pass through a certain part of the small intestine, which will reduce the absorption of calories and nutrients ingested.
The surgery will take approximately 2 hours
This is surgery that is performed by laparoscopy (5 or 6 small 1 to 3 cm incisions in the abdomen).
The usual length of hospital-stay after surgery: between 24 and 48 hours depending on the health condition.
Main side effects and risks
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Nausea and vomiting
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Blockage when eating
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Fatigue and lack of energy
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Vitamin deficiency and malnutrition
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Digestive difficulties
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Dumping syndrome
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Bleeding
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Digestive ulcer
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Wound infection
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Thrombophlebitis (clot in the legs)
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Chronic abdominal pain
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Internal and abdominal hernia
Complications are rare. To decrease the risk of complications and side effects, it is important to follow the indications and recommendations. It is strongly recommended that you do not smoke, do not drink while eating, limit alcohol consumption and significantly reduce your sugary food intake. Surgery is an effective tool that allows you to lose, on average, 60-70% of excess weight. It will help improve and eliminate several associated health problems (diabetes, hypertension, etc.). You will have better results if this is combined with good eating habits and a varied physical activities program. It will be necessary to take vitamins and supplements after surgery to prevent certain nutritional deficiencies.
