About Gastric Bypass Surgery

What have YOU got to lose?

What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric Bypass Surgery via the Roux-en-Y  is generally considered to be the best surgical procedure for permanent weight loss.  Weight loss is achieved by reducing the functional portion of the stomach during a laparoscopic procedure reducing the stomach to a pouch one ounce or less in size, and by creating a stoma, a small opening between the stomach and the intestine. For information about lap band surgery please follow this link:

The small size of the stomach pouch causes the patient to have a sensation of fullness after eating only a small portion of food. The small stoma delays stomach emptying, making the sensation of fullness last longer. These are called the Restrictive components of the procedure.

The limb of intestine coming down from the small pouch is called the Roux limb. The limb of intestine coming down from the bypassed portion of the stomach can be called the Biliary or Bypassed limb. The remaining portion of the intestine is called the Common Channel.

Food does not pass down the Bypassed limb, only the Roux limb and the Common Channel. The longer the Bypassed limb, the less the length of intestine actively working to absorb nutrients from the food that is eaten. Digestive juices that normally help absorb nutrients from the food enter the Bypassed limb from the larger portion of the stomach, the liver, and the pancreas, and pass down the Bypassed limb to the Common Channel.

These juices do not mix with the food while it is passing down the Roux limb. The longer the Roux limb, the longer the portion of intestine trying to absorb nutrients without the benefit of these digestive juices. Both of these changes result in less absorption of nutrients and contribute to weight loss, and are called the Malabsorptive components of the procedure.

Exactly how the operation is done for an individual patient depends on their individual anatomy, their general health status, whatever changes they may have from prior surgeries, and what they hope to be achieve from the operation. The stomach compartments can be completely divided from each other or simply partitioned, the small stomach pouch and the intestinal limbs may be connected to each other with either staples or sutures, a small band may be placed around the stomach pouch, and the two intestinal limbs may be made longer or shorter.

Patients will be on a clear liquid diet for the first few days immediately following gastric bypass surgery, and then advance to a pureed diet. These foods will be very soft, so as to pass through the small, newly formed pouch and stoma. One of the main issues during this period will be adequate fluid intake, and dehydration can be a problem for patients recovering from this surgery. We will ask patients to take in at least 32 ounces of liquid a day before leaving the Gastric Bypass Surgery Center.

Approximately one month after the gastric bypass surgery the patients can expect to advance to a transitional diet. They begin to take more regular table foods, but will often still go back to eating the pureed foods that they have tolerated well. They will still be learning how to eat right, including chewing food carefully, learning to drink most of their liquids between rather than with meals, and learning that eating the wrong foods, such as sweets or fatty foods, can make them ill.

Patients experience the most rapid weight loss during this period. They are often thrilled to see the weight coming off, sometimes at the rate of 20 pounds a month, but it is not an easy time. Patients feel the loss of calories taken in, and are sometimes low in energy. Their small pouch will make them uncomfortable when they eat too much or too fast. They may have diarrhea, which can usually be controlled by avoiding certain foods or by taking medication. They may experience hair loss, though the hair usually begins to grow back within a few months. 

At 6 months after the gastric bypass surgery the patients will probably be on their long-term maintenance diet, which is more or less what and how they will eat for the rest of their lives. The maintenance diet for the most part consists of regular table foods, but in small portions. Most patients describe their meals as child sized, and they often do not finish what they are served. The patients generally become comfortable eating these small meals, and almost always say the loss of the ability to enjoy large meals or certain foods is more than compensated for by being able to successfully control their weight.

Patients may expect to lose approximately 70% of their excess body weight during the first 2 years following surgery. Sometimes a weight regain of  about 10% is seen between years 2 and 5, perhaps because the small pouch increases several ounces in size, and perhaps because the patients learn how to take in extra calories without making themselves sick.

The surgical community involved in gastric bypass surgery is very concerned about this late 10% or any other weight regain. There is a national effort underway to keep patients involved in support groups and in follow-up with their doctors to reinforce what they had been taught after surgery, and what had worked for them the first 2 years. Long term success with this operation requires a team effort of both the patients and their doctors.

Gastric Bypass Surgery patients take in less food and absorb less of what they take in, making them at risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. They must also make a life long commitment to taking vitamin, mineral, and possibly protein supplements, and may become very ill if they don't. These supplements will cost about $30.00 a month and can be purchased almost anywhere.

What To Expect After Surgery:

Several weeks after you have left the hospital, you will be able to eat regular food in small quantities. Always remember that a few bites of food will make you feel full. The following points need to be reemphasized: Listen to your stomach, not your eyes. Stop eating when you feel full, even if it seems that you have not eaten enough. One bite too many may cause significant discomfort. One extra bite may cause you to vomit. You do not need a lot of food.

Eating After Gastric Bypass Surgery:

After about six weeks, it should be relatively easy for you to enjoy a small meal.  Eat only three meals a day.  Establish regular mealtimes.  Your diet should consist of solid food, mostly meat, including poultry and fish, and vegetables, in very small quantities.  Take very small bites, chew all your food well, and eat slowly.  A meal should take at least thirty minutes to an hour to consume.  DO NOT drink liquids 30 minutes prior to a meal to 30 minutes after a meal, and no drinking during the meal. Drinking during the meal will cause a sensation of pressure in the chest that is uncomfortable and can cause the food to backup.

Take the time to relax just before, during, and after mealtime.  Between meals, it is advisable to drink five or six glasses of water, coffee, or tea without sugar or non-carbonated diet drinks to maintain your fluid intake.  Do not drink liquids that are high in calories.  Remember, if you take in extra calories between meals, weight loss will be slower and you will not achieve the weight you desire.

Exercise After Gastric Bypass Surgery:

Exercise is important in the recovery from any operation.  Walking is one of the most effective forms of exercise for this purpose.  A regular exercise program is highly recommended.  Begin with very short walks several times a day and gradually increase the distance.  Walking also improves muscle tone while you are losing weight.  Do not, at first, engage in strenuous exercise.  For example, do not lift more than ten pounds at a time.  About six weeks after surgery, you should be able to tolerate all but the most strenuous exercises.

Do not sit or stand in one place for a long period of time.  Light housekeeping chores may be performed when you feel you are able.  Driving a car is usually permitted one week after surgery.  Sexual activities may be resumed unless otherwise specified.

Most people are able to return to light work after two weeks and to heavy labor after six weeks.  The time of your return to work will depend upon the physical demands of your job and the rate of your recovery.

Expected Weight Loss After Gastric Bypass Surgery:

In the first year, patients lose, on the average, approximately one hundred pounds, or two-thirds of their excess weight.  By the end of the second year, the average patient has lost 36% of his or her total body weight.  About 10% of patients fail to experience significant weight loss, primarily because they persist in consuming high-calorie liquids or soft foods, such as peanut butter, ice cream and sodas, which readily slide through the little stomach pouch.

You will need to return for follow-up visits periodically until your weight has stabilized.  Blood tests may be required to help assess your progress.

Unless you understand all of the problems that can arise from this surgery, accept the risks, and are willing to cooperate fully in follow-up and treatment, you should not have this operation.

Surgery by itself will not miraculously cure obesity.  Best results are obtained when patients practice good dietary and exercise habits.  Your cooperation is essential.  The surgical procedure was the physical vehicle you needed to curb overeating.  

There are many changes and adjustments to be made with weight loss.  However, the frustrations you may experience will seem insignificant in comparison to the overwhelming satisfaction produced by increased self-esteem and a sense of accomplishment.