Gastric Bypass

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Gastric Bypass surgery uses both restriction and malabsorption, by creating a smaller stomach pouch and by rerouting the small intestine, to achieve, on average, the greatest weight loss of any bariatric procedure. Also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, this procedure is the most commonly performed weight loss procedure in the United States. Gastric bypass can be performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive) or open depending on the particular circumstance of the patient.

During the gastric bypass procedure, Dr. Schram creates a smaller stomach pouch – this newly formed pouch is very small, at about 1-2 tablespoons in size. Dr. Schram will then attach a Y-shaped section of the small intestine directly to the pouch. Depending on how much of the small intestine is bypassed, more or less malabsorption will occur. The food now bypasses a significant part of the small intestine, which absorbs calories and nutrients. With the smaller stomach pouch, patients feel fuller sooner and thus consume less food. The small intestine bypass reduces the amount of calories absorbed by the body through the small intestine.

Weight Loss Expectations

While every case varies, gastric bypass patients lose over 60 percent of their excess weight on average.

Disease Resolution

Gastric bypass has several proven benefits including:

• Resolving type-2 diabetes in over 80% of patients.
• Resolving high blood pressure in over 75% of patients.
• Improving high cholesterol in over 90% of patients.
  
  

Recovery

Recovery times will vary, however ideally patients may expect to leave the hospital after two days and resume normal activity within three weeks.

Potential Concerns of Gastric Bypass

Dumping syndrome, an unpleasant but not life threatening condition may occur if you consume high fat or high sugar foods. Patients will also have to take a daily multivitamin, calcium and possibly vitamin B12 and/or iron in perpetuity.