Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a surgical procedure that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting it directly to the small intestine, bypassing a large part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This procedure works through both restriction (limiting food intake) and malabsorption (reducing calorie and nutrient absorption).
 

Key features of Gastric Bypass include:

• Considered the "gold standard" of weight loss surgeries
• Typically results in rapid and significant weight loss
• Can lead to dramatic improvement in obesity-related conditions
• Requires lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation

Why is it done?
Gastric bypass is recommended for individuals with severe obesity who have not achieved long-term success with non-surgical weight loss methods. Specific criteria include:

• Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40, or
• BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health conditions

The procedure aims to help patients achieve significant weight loss, improve obesity-related health conditions (especially type 2 diabetes), and enhance overall quality of life.

What happens during the procedure?
The gastric bypass procedure typically involves the following steps:

• General anaesthesia is administered to the patient.
• The surgeon makes several small incisions in the abdomen to insert a camera and surgical instruments.
• A small stomach pouch is created by dividing the top of the stomach from the rest of the stomach.
• The small intestine is then divided, and the lower portion (the Roux limb) is connected to the newly created small stomach pouch.
• The other end of the small intestine is connected to the Roux limb lower down, creating a "Y" shape.
• The incisions are closed, completing the procedure.

The entire surgery usually takes between 2 to 3 hours when performed by an experienced surgeon. Post-surgery, patients typically stay in the hospital for 2-3 days for monitoring and to begin adjusting to their new dietary requirements.