It involves creating a new smaller stomach the size of about a large egg. This new stomach is separated from the rest of the stomach but no tissue is removed. Since the new stomach is small it restricts or limits the amount of food you can eat, if you eat too much you will vomit. This small stomach is reconnected to the small intestine downstream. This distal part of the intestine is not used to receive sweet high calorie liquids or food. If you try to eat this kind of food you will get sick and vomit, it is called “dumping effect”. Finally, the food is re-routed and “bypasses” the stomach and the first portion of the intestines, decreasing the absorption of food.

The results of the gastric bypass are excellent and the success rate of this operation is reported to be between 80 to 90%. Success is defined as losing 50% of the excess weight that you are carrying. Most people are able to lose between 60 to 80% of their excess body weight in the first 12 months after surgery. Many health problems (back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, heartburn) improve or are resolved following surgery.

Advantages of the procedure include that there is no need for adjustments, there is no foreign body inserted in your body, the weight loss is fast, the procedure has been around for about forty years and results have been confirmed to stand the test of time (follow up data up to 15 years old). The risk of re-operation is less than with the LAP-BAND ®.

Disadvantages include that the procedure is not reversible, there is a risk of leaks, you need vitamin replacement for life, risk of bowel obstruction, internal hernia, marginal ulcers, bleeding, stricture, vomiting and dehydration