This type of procedure creates a small stomach pouch and bypasses part of the small intestine. It is performed with multiple mini-incisions. It has the advantage of avoiding a large incision which can break down and a faster recovery than a conventional bypass. 
By reducing the food intake and still utilizing the jejunum, patients have a satisfied full feeling with much less intake of food. Studies have shown this procedure to be excellent for long-term weight loss success but requires lifetime patient behavioral changes.
Gastric bypass has been shown to be very effective at inducing and maintaining major weight loss in severe obesity.
Benefits
- Reduced post surgery pain, recovery time and time off work compared to an open procedure.
- Often described as the "gold standard" for weight loss surgery in the United States and most frequently performed in this country.
- At two years, average weight loss is 70-80% of excess weight.
- Hypertension and diabetes are clinically reversed or improved in over 90% of patients
- Dumping (an uncomfortable physical reaction) can occur with foods high in fat and sugar which can help modify eating behavior.
- Almost no risk of incisional hernias after the operation (sometimes as much as 20% of open operations will have this problem).
|
