What is Gastric Bypass? Gastric bypass surgery alters the digestive process and is
classified by degree of derivation from the small intestine. Such methods are known as malabsorptive procedures, because they involve food to pass along a portion of the small intestine that absorb nutrients. Some of these surgeries also involve the division of the stomach with staples to create a small pouch that serves as “new” stomach or surgically removing part of the stomach.
- This procedure can be just as restrictive because the size of the stomach is reduced so that the amount of food ingested is less.
- While malabsorptive procedures are more effective in causing excess weight loss than purely restrictive procedures, we also carry more risk for nutritional deficiencies.
To perform any bariatric surgery must take into account the benefits of long-term health and determine that they outweigh the risks, because the surgery can have serious side effects. Although some surgical techniques can be performed via laparoscope and reduced risk, all bariatric surgery is considered major surgery.
Gastric bypass surgery:
- This may be done in two ways: by open surgery or laparoscopy (surgery that allows maneuvering through the use of a video camera without making a cut higher in the patient).
- Can be performed laparoscopically and offers some advantages over the stomach reduction surgery, in relation to risk and postoperative complications, too, the recovery is faster and the scars are smaller.