The gastric bypass procedure creates a small gastric pouch high on the right side of the stomach. While there are many types of roux gastric bypass surgeries (proximal, extended, duodenal switch and Fobi pouch), documentation has shown the distal gastric bypass procedure to be the most effective for long-term weight loss. For this reason, SWLC primarily performs the distal gastric bypass procedure. However, patient input is very important and the operation is tailor-made for each patient. We also offer the Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass as an option, as well as the duodenal switch-biliopancreatic diversion.

The gastric bypass is a combination gastric restrictive and malabsorption operation. The creation of a small pouch causes this operation to be a "small meal operation" (gastric restriction), while bypassing of most of the intestine allows for reduced calorie absorption (malabsorption).

A staple line is placed in order to create a small pouch. We attach a piece of intestine to the pouch that allows food to pass into a segment of the small intestine. As it leaves the pouch, the food travels this 120 to 130 inch segment then enters the colon. Digestive juices from the gallbladder and pancreas mix with the food in the last 40 to 80 inches of the small intestine and digestion occurs. This segment of intestine provides your body's only opportunity to digest and absorb food. When food enters the colon, no further calorie absorption occurs, so much of the food remains undigested. Similar re-routing of the digestive juices is done with the duodenal switch-biliopancreatic diversion.

Limitations
The malabsorption component of this procedure increases the potential for long-term complications. Such complications are uncommon but may include low serum protein levels, anemia, and low vitamin, iron or calcium levels. There is also a small possibility of gastric ulcers forming at the juncture of the pouch and the small intestine. The great majority of our patients who follow our routines do not experience these problems.

Recovery
The gastric bypass requires 2-3 days of hospitalization. Most patients are back to work in 10-21 days from the date of surgery.

Gastric bypass patients tolerate sweets poorly. If they eat anything with significant amounts of sugar, patients feel lightheaded and experience some palpitations (heart flutters) or cold sweats. These symptoms, called dumping, last only a few minutes but are not pleasant. Dumping causes most people to avoid eating sweets and for this reason, the operation is usually more successful than vertical banded gastroplasty or adjustable gastric band if a person is a sweet-eater.

Weight Loss
In our experience, distal gastric bypass results are very impressive. At five years, the average weight loss is 89% of the excess weight , which is normal or near-normal weight. A person can expect to lose approximately 75% of the excess weight with a medial, and approximately 50% of the excess weight with an open proximal gastric bypass. With a proximal gastric bypass performed laparoscopically weight loss is approximately 70% of excess weight at 4 years.

The duodenal switch-biliopancreatic diversion gets almost as much weight loss as a distal, but the residual gastric pouch is a little larger so the patient can eat a little more food.

Please note that estimated weight loss is dependent on several factors and is not meant to be a guarantee of your weight loss.

Weight loss results following surgery are dependent upon how effectively you follow the recommended program.

Please view our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section for answers to many questions.

Click here to learn about the Gastric Bypass for Failed Bariatric Surgical Procedures.

Click here to learn about the Vertical Banded Gastroplasty and Distal Gastric Bypass as Primary Procedures: A Comparison