Gastric Bypass

Also known as the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, is considered the ‘gold standard’ of weight loss surgery.

How Does it Work?

There are two components to the procedure. First, a small stomach pouch is created by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest of the stomach. Next, the first portion of the small intestine is divided, and the bottom end of the divided small intestine is brought up and connected to the newly created small stomach pouch. The procedure is completed by connecting the top portion of the divided small intestine to the small intestine further down so that the stomach acids and digestive enzymes from the bypassed stomach and first portion of small intestine will eventually mix with the food.

The gastric bypass works in several ways. First, the newly created stomach pouch is considerably smaller and means smaller meals can be eaten, which translates into less calories consumed. Also, due to the changes there is likely to be less absorption of calories and nutrients.

Most importantly, the rerouting of the food stream produces changes in gut hormones that promote satiety, and suppresses hunger. It also reverses Type 2 diabetes.