Quick Reference Guide
- What is Gastric Bypass Surgery (roux-en-y-gastric bypass)?
- How does gastric bypass help people lose weight?
- What are the advantages of gastric bypass surgery?
- What are the side effects and disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery?
- Who makes a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery?
- How is gastric bypass performed?
- What should I expect post-op following gastric bypass surgery?
- What type of weight loss can be expected following gastric bypass surgery?
- How is gastric bypass surgery different from gastric sleeve surgery?
- How do I prepare for my surgery date?
- When will my new diet begin?
What is Gastric Bypass Surgery (roux-en-y-gastric bypass)?
Gastric bypass surgery (roux-en-y-gastric bypass) has been performed for over thirty years, the longest of all three weight loss surgeries.
Dr. LeGrand performs gastric bypass surgery in two parts. First, he creates a very small new stomach with a one-ounce capacity called the “pouch.” It is the only part of the stomach that will ever receive food after surgery. Dr. LeGrand then bypasses, or reroutes, the intestines to carry food away from the pouch. Second, Dr. LeGrand makes a connection allowing digestive juices coming from the remaining stomach, liver and pancreas to meet with the food downstream.
How does gastric bypass help people lose weight?
Gastric bypass is a combined procedure, which means it restricts portion size and limits the absorption of foods, a process called “malabsorption.” The small pouch restricts how much food you can eat and leaves you feeling full after only a few bites. Gastric bypass is also a metabolic surgery that changes how you metabolize food. Through the physical changes brought on by the procedure, neurochemical pathways and hormones are altered in a favorable way to help you lose weight rapidly, give you better control of your blood sugars and decrease inflammation.
Gastric bypass also causes a phenomenon called dumping syndrome. Dumping is usually brought on by consuming refined sugars. It is a very uncomfortable feeling characterized by weakness, nausea, sweating and physically feeling bad. It acts as a useful side effect to help deal with a major food trigger.
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What are the advantages of gastric bypass surgery?
What are the side effects and disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery?
Who makes a good candidate for gastric bypass surgery?
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How is gastric bypass performed?
Dr. LeGrand performs the procedure laparoscopically, a minimally invasive approach, in about two to three hours. General anesthetic will be used to put you to sleep. Several small incisions will be made in your abdomen. Dr. LeGrand will insert narrow tubes in the incision that contain cameras and small surgical tools. Dr. LeGrand will see the inside of your abdomen and safely make surgical adjustments to your stomach.
Dr. LeGrand performs gastric bypass surgery in two parts. First, he creates a very small new stomach with a one-ounce capacity called the “pouch.” It is the only part of the stomach that will ever receive food after surgery. Dr. LeGrand then bypasses, or reroutes, the intestines to carry food away from the pouch. Second, Dr. LeGrand makes a connection allowing digestive juices coming from the remaining stomach, liver and pancreas to meet with the food downstream.
By performing the procedure laparoscopically, scarring, surgical risks and recovery time are minimized. Only a few stitches will be needed to close the small incisions.
What should I expect post-op following gastric sleeve weight loss surgery?
You may stay in the hospital for one or two nights. Your first goals after surgery are to walk frequently and do breathing exercises with a tool called an incentive spirometer. You will be given blood-thinning medications to prevent blood clots. Patients are typically allowed to sip liquids a few hours after surgery.
Taking multiple vitamin and mineral supplements the rest of your life will become necessary as your new, smaller stomach will hold less food, even nutrient dense foods. Recommended supplements include a multi-vitamin, calcium and vitamin B12.
What type of weight loss can be expected following gastric bypass surgery?
Individual results vary, but people who have had gastric bypass surgery, and comply with our guidelines, lose about 20% to 25% of their excess weight within two months. For example, if your excess body weight is 100 pounds, you can lose about 20 to 25 pounds in eight weeks. You can lose about 30% to 35% of your excess weight in about three months after surgery. Proper diet and exercise can expedite your weight loss.
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How is gastric bypass surgery different from gastric sleeve surgery?
In gastric bypass, Dr. LeGrand makes a small pouch that bypasses the lower part of your stomach. Food is redirected to the top of the stomach straight into the small intestines. Gastric bypass is a combined procedure, which means it restricts portion size and limits the absorption of foods, a process called “malabsorption.” It is a metabolic surgery that changes how you metabolize food.
The gastric sleeve procedure is similar, but the shape and size of the stomach after the procedure is more like that of a banana or hockey stick making the functional stomach more like a tube than a bag. Through gastric sleeve surgery, Dr. LeGrand removes 80% to 85% percent of the stomach and staples the remaining portion of the stomach together. This restrictive procedure limits the amount of food the patient can consume but doesn’t necessarily change how you metabolize food.
How do I prepare for my surgery date?
Leading up to surgery, you’ll complete several evaluations and education preparing you for post-op success. You’ll practice new, healthy lifestyle skills early on because it takes time to develop new habits. Your results and success completely depend on your ability to permanently adopt healthy habits.
You may experience weight loss even before surgery because of your lifestyle changes. You should be encouraged by this weight loss and gain confidence in your long-term success. The gastric bypass surgery, as well as support from your medical and personal teams, will help you remain successful.
When will my new diet begin?
Two weeks before surgery, you’ll begin a very strict diet. Calories and carbohydrates will be restricted while your intake of lean proteins will be increased. These dietary changes will help shrink the liver and prepare your body for a smooth transition to a new lifestyle. An oversized liver could compromise your success and make the surgery more dangerous.
Two days before surgery, you will switch to a liquid diet that may include broth and protein shakes. You may also be able to drink decaffeinated coffee and tea and eat Jell-O. Avoid caffeine as it could impact your procedure. No two patients are alike, so Dr. LeGrand’s orders may vary.