Gastric Bypass Surgery

(To be updated soon, God willing).

Gastric bypass is one of the operations that may be used by surgeons of obesity and weight loss to help some people lose weight without the need to follow strict food diets, by reducing the size of the stomach, resulting in reducing the rate of food consumption of the person, then reduce the needed time to feel full.

Although it may involve several risks, it may help the patients lose approximately 60% to 70% of their total weight within two years.

(To be updated soon, God willing).

Some obesity and weight loss specialists use gastric bypass surgery for some obese people (BMI is often 40 or more) or for those with serious health problems associated with obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, Sleep Apnea, heart disease or high blood pressure with BMI equals 35 or more.

(To be updated soon, God willing).

Before confirming the patient's ability to undergo the gastric bypass surgery, he must undergo a series of tests recommended by the specialist of obesity surgery and weight loss responsible for obesity cases, including:

• Clinical examination.
• Blood tests, radiography and other tests upon the case.

The obesity and weight loss Surgeon may ask for some other tests depending on the patient's condition.

(To be updated soon, God willing).

Gastric bypass surgery may have the following complications:

• Infection.
• Blood clots.
• Internal bleeding.
• Leakage of digestive extraction and food from the new pathway created between the intestines and the stomach.
• Breathing problems.
• Sensitivity to certain drugs or anesthetic used.
• Heart problems.
• Gastric wall inflammation.
• Malnutrition.
• Vomiting in case of eating more than the stomach capacity.
• Injury in the stomach, intestines or other organs during the operation.
• Scarring in the abdomen may lead to subsequent intestinal obstruction.
• Stomach ulcer.
• Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia).
• Gallstones.
• Dumping syndrome.

(To be updated soon, God willing).

Gastric bypass surgery includes three main stages:

• Preparing for the surgery:

The patient is asked to stop smoking for several weeks before the operation and continue to do so after the operation; to improve the chances of recovery.

The patient also should stop using any of the blood thinner drugs such as aspirin, warfarin or ibuprofen.

The patient must abstain from food and drink before the gastric bypass surgery in about 8 hours.

• During the surgery :

1. Patient receiving general anesthesia.
2. Perform an incision in the abdomen if it is an open surgery.

* This surgery can be done by the laparoscope, where a set of small incisions to insert the tools needed for the surgery contains a camera to see the internal organs during the operation.

1. Staple a small part of the stomach, so that the stomach is divided into two parts (small and large pouch); food reaches the smaller pouch to reduce the average consumption of food.
2. Cut the small intestine and link the lower part of the intestine (jejunum) with the small pouch formed in the stomach; therefore, food passes quickly from the small pouch to the intestines, which reduces the absorption of calories gained and other nutrients.
3. Attaching the other part of the intestine coming from the large gastric pouch with the small intestine (jejunum) again at a certain point, through which the bile and gastrointestinal juices pass through the pancreas and liver to digest food from the small gastric pouch.

The patient is connected to a group of tubes during the operation, one from the nose to the stomach to drain fluids coming from the intestine, another tube to drain the urine from the bladder, and another connected with the larger pouch of the stomach that was separated to drain liquids that may accumulate inside.

• After the surgery:

After waking up, the patient is asked to walk and move on the same day. For 3 days, the patient is given intravenous nutrients because he or she cannot eat any food. After that, it may turn into fluids and then gradually to pureed or soft foods. The patient may feel some pain so he is given intravenous analgesics or sometimes he may be able to take analgesic tablets.

The patient can leave the hospital when assuring of his health in general, and he is able to eat without vomiting.

Approximately between 2 to 5 days, but it can be less after laparoscopic gastric bypass.

The recovery period after gastric bypass surgery maybe about 2 weeks, then the patient should start new life habits completely different from the previous ones, a healthy diet should be followed, and regular physical exercises. 

People who have undergone gastric bypass surgery lose nearly 60% of their weight within two years of the surgery, averaging approximately 9 kg during the first months of the first year following the surgery; the average weight loss then begins to decrease gradually steadily.

The obesity and weight loss surgeon who is in charge of the patient may recommend a combination of vitamins and nutrients to compensate for the deficiency that may result from poor absorption after the gastric bypass.

Some annoying symptoms may be experienced during the first six months following rapid weight loss, such as general feeling of weakness, feeling cold, dry skin, mood swings, hair loss and weakness.

(To be added soon, God willing).

(To be added soon, God willing).

(To be added soon, God willing).

(To be added soon, God willing).

• Sleeve gastrectomy
• Mini-gastric bypass surgery
• Gastric banding (Lap band)

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Last update on 17th August, 2021

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