Losing Weight With Gastric Bypass
The gastric bypass works by creating a smaller stomach pouch and rerouting the path that food normally takes so that it “bypasses” a large section of the stomach and a portion of the small intestine.
The result is an early sense of fullness and satiety that reduces the desire to eat. Not only do patients who’ve undergone gastric bypass surgery lose weight because they cannot eat as much, they also absorb fewer calories. This dual approach – restrictive (restricts the amount of food) and malabsorptive (reduces the amount of calories absorbed) – jump starts weight loss. In addition, the gastric bypass also causes the secretions of fewer hunger hormones – grehlins – resulting in less overall hunger further contributing to weight loss.
New Jersey Bariatric Center® patients who undergo a gastric bypass surgery typically lose between 65-70% of their excess body weight.
Health Improvements and Benefits
The gastric bypass procedure results in sustained, long-term weight loss and, improves and in some cases resolves obesity-related illnesses such as:
Type 2 Diabetes
77% of patients have resolution2
Hypertension
62% of patients have resolution2
Sleep Apnea
84% of patients have resolution2
With type 2 diabetes, many patients stop taking their diabetic or high blood pressure medication before they leave the hospital and before weight loss. With sleep apnea, there is improvement or complete resolution as weight loss results in the opening of air passages.
Risks
As with any surgery, there are risks to weight loss procedures. When deciding whether gastric bypass surgery is right for you, the potential health benefits must outweigh the potential risks. To learn more about specific complications associated with gastric bypass, visit our Risks page.
Do I Qualify for Gastric Bypass Surgery?
To qualify for gastric bypass surgery, a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or greater, or a BMI of 35 with obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnea should exist.
Gastric Bypass Procedure
At New Jersey Bariatric Center® surgeons perform the gastric bypass procedure laparoscopically through approximately four or five incisions in the abdomen. The surgeons staple off a section of the stomach, leaving the rest of the stomach in place and creating a pouch that can hold about a quarter-cup of food. The top part of the small intestine is then divided, and the bottom half of the divided small intestine is connected to the new, small pouch. Food bypasses the stapled-off section of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. The procedure lasts approximately 2-3 hours.
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Recovery and Follow-Up
On average, New Jersey Bariatric Center® patients leave the hospital within 1-2 days after gastric bypass surgery. When planning for the period after having a gastric bypass operation, you should keep the following in mind:
- Allow yourself time to adjust to your new lifestyle. You’ll need time to figure out how your new routine of healthy food and exercise fits into your life.
- No heavy lifting for 4 to 6 weeks post-surgery. No more than 15 pounds.
- You will be physically able to return to work between 1 week and 3 weeks after surgery, depending on the type of work you do.
- You will have the support of our dedicated team of medical professionals who will work with you on nutrition, exercise, psychological and physical therapy needs both before surgery and for the long-term.
Gastric Bypass FAQs
Gastric Bypass Patient Stories
Carmen Lost 118 Lbs.*
Willie Lost 200 Lbs.*
Martiza Lost 90 Lbs.*
Sources
- Bariatric Surgery Procedures. (n.d.). In American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Retrieved December 3, 2020, from https://asmbs.org/patients/bariatric-surgery-procedures#learnmore
- Metabolic and bariatric surgery. (2018, October). In American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Retrieved November 10, 2020, from https://asmbs.org/resources/metabolic-and-bariatric-surgery