Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass

Procedure Guide :: Risks and Complications :: Post Operative Instructions

In the Gastric Bypass procedure, a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This bypass reduces the absorption of nutrients and thereby reduces the calorie intake.

Advantages

• Rapid initial weight loss
• Minimally invasive approach is possible
• Longer experience in USA
• Higher total average weight loss reported than with Laparoscopic Gastric Banding

Disadvantages

• Cutting and stapling of stomach and bowel is required
• More operative complications than with LAGB
• “Dumping syndrome” can occur
• Reduced absorption of essential nutrients & complications due to malabsorption
• Risk of internal hernia
• Extremely difficult to reverse

Dumping syndrome occurs only after gastric bypass and is a reaction of the body to a meal with a high amount of carbohydrates/sugar. When this meal goes from the stomach pouch to the small intestine, patients may experience multiple, very unpleasant symptoms: crampy abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, cold sweats and severe weakness.

Find out more about Gastric Bypass with the following links.