How does the gastric bypass help you lose weight? What are the health benefits? How long is the recovery? These three questions are always top of mind for our gastric bypass patients.  If you’re considering gastric bypass surgery to help you lose weight, here are a few important facts to know.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Helps You Eat Less & Absorb Fewer Calories

Gastric bypass surgery helps patients lose weight by creating a small stomach pouch and rerouting the path food takes so you feel full faster and absorb fewer calories. After surgery, the food “bypasses” a large section of the stomach and part of the small intestine, creating an early sense of fullness in your stomach. This approach, which is restrictive (restricts the amount of food) and malabsorptive (reduces the amount of calories absorbed), helps jumpstart weight loss. The gastric bypass procedure also reduces the amount of ghrelin (hunger hormone) in your stomach resulting in less overall hunger. 

Many Patients Experience Health Benefits After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery typically lose around 60-80% of their excess body weight. Along with losing weight, gastric bypass surgery can also result in the resolution of obesity-related medical conditions such as: 

• Type 2 diabetes - 77% of patients have resolution*
• High blood pressure - 62% of patients have resolution*
• Sleep apnea - 84% of patients have resolution*

Recovery After Losing Weight with Gastric Bypass Surgery

On average, patients usually stay in the hospital 1-2 days following a gastric bypass procedure, and are encouraged to be up and walking as soon as they are able to after surgery. Before patients leave the hospital, the NJBC surgical team will make sure that you are tolerating liquids, your pain is managed and you are comfortable moving around. 

As with any surgery there are side effects and risks to weight loss procedures. To read more about side effects and risks associated with the gastric bypass, visit our Side Effects & Risks page.

If you have more questions about  gastric bypass surgery give us a call at 908-481-1270.

*Metabolic and bariatric surgery. (2018, October). In the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://asmbs.org/resources/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery