Gastric Bypass
The Gastric Bypass was one of the first bariatric surgical procedures devised in the 1960’s, and it has stood the test of time as a procedure which helps patients achieve substantial and sustained weight loss. The weight loss achieved after Gastric Bypass helps improve or resolve many medical problems, and the Gastric Bypass is especially effective in the treatment of Diabetes and GERD.
The Gastric Bypass is currently the most commonly performed Weight Loss Surgical procedure in the U.S. The surgeons of TLC Surgery have been performing the Gastric Bypass laparoscopically since early 2002. The Gastric Bypass is done laparoscopically by our surgeons more than 98% of the time.
About the Surgery
Most of the weight loss from the gastric bypass comes from making a very small gastric pouch. This pouch is shaped to be about the size of a person’s thumb, and will hold 30 ml or less. The pouch can only hold two or three tiny bites of food, so that patients become full very easily. This restriction on the amount of food is the most important factor in helping Gastric Bypass patients lose weight.
The Gastric Bypass also involves attachment of the newly-created stomach pouch to a segment of small intestine (the Roux limb) which is brought up from the mid-abdomen. A key feature of this portion of small intestine (technically called “jejunum”) is that it cannot handle concentrated calories such as sugar or starches. Examples of these types of calories are sodas and other sugary foods like cake and cookies. Therefore, if a patient consumes these kinds of foods, this segment of intestine reacts by creating a temporary illness called dumping syndrome. Since Dumping Syndrome makes a patient feel physically ill, most patients after Gastric Bypass find it easier to stick with healthy foods such as proteins and vegetables.
Which Patients Benefit Most from Gastric Bypass?
At TLC Surgery we tailor the surgical procedure to the patient’s needs and desires. We always want to provide the surgical approach that will most benefit each individual patient. We feel that the following types of patients benefit most from the laparoscopic gastric bypass or gastric sleeve over the laparoscopic gastric band:
-patients with diabetes -patients whose BMI is greater than 50 -patients that have had prior weight loss surgery -patients with a tendency for binge eating and eating sweets -patients who live more than 2 hours away from their surgeon.
Dumping Syndrome
This syndrome may be induced by the intake of simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and some starches. Dumping syndrome is characterized by palpitations (fast heart rate), a clammy feeling, queasiness and nausea, and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Usually the patient feels weak, and must lie down for an hour or so. The syndrome is not dangerous, but it feels awful. All bariatric surgical patients are strongly advised to avoid sugary junk food, sugar and other carbohydrates. Experiencing the horrible effects of dumping syndrome can serve as a useful deterrent to keep patients away from these types of foods.
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