Gastric Bypass surgery is considered the gold standard of bariatric surgeries. New Jersey Bariatric Center® patients who undergo a gastric bypass operation typically lose between 65 percent and 70 percent of their excess body weight.*
How Gastric Bypass Works
Gastric bypass works by changing the patient’s anatomy, 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.
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 small intestine is also divided and connected to the new smaller pouch. Food bypasses the stapled-off section of the stomach and the upper 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 simply cannot eat as much, but they also absorb fewer calories. This dual approach –restrictive (restricts the amount of food) and malabsorption (reduces the amount of calories absorbed)– gives gastric bypass twice the weight-loss punch as other procedures.
Not sure which bariatric procedure is right for you? Visit our Choosing a Procedure page for a side-by-side rundown of gastric band, gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.
Gastric Bypass Recovery and Follow Up
On average, New Jersey Bariatric Center®patients leave the hospital two 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 (more than 15 pounds) is allowed for four to six weeks post-surgery
- You will be physically able to return to work between one week and three 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
Benefits vs. Risks of Gastric Bypass
Studies have found numerous health benefits associated with gastric bypass surgery. New Jersey Bariatric Center® patients report an increase in quality of life, including the improvement or resolution of diabetes, high blood pressure and sleep apnea. Read more about the health benefits of weight loss surgery.
However, as with any surgery, there are risks. When deciding whether gastric bypass surgery is right for you, the perceived benefits must outweigh the potential risks. To learn more about specific complications of gastric sleeve, visit our Risks page.
*Results vary.
