Gastric Bypass Procedure

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is one of two surgical weight loss options we offer at AtlantiCare. Gastric bypass has been performed for nearly 50 years and is considered one of the most effective surgical weight loss approaches available today. It is also the most frequently performed weight loss procedure in the U.S., with about 140,000 procedures completed in 2005.

Patients who choose to have laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery (or mini gastric bypass surgery) will typically experience these benefits:

50 to 75 percent loss of their excess body weight within the first year after surgery;
Decreased or complete remission of health disorders resulting from extreme overweight*, such as:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Gastric reflux
Sleep apnea and other conditions
Increased mobility
Improved psychological wellness
Improved social interactions
And, most important, overall improvement in quality of life

*Improvement or complete resolution of medical problems is not guaranteed and they may recur if weight is regained.

Click here to read Carnie Wilson’s story.

What the Procedure Involves

Gastric bypass limits food consumption by using surgical staples to divide the stomach into two sections:

A small upper portion that is the usable portion, which holds only a few ounces of food eaten at one time; and
A large lower portion, which is considered a “remnant” (unused section).

In addition, the intestine is redirected so that it connects with both sections of the stomach, creating a Y-shaped formation – as indicated in the procedure’s name.

By reducing the size of usable stomach and reconfiguring the intestine, the procedure restricts the quantity of food that can be eaten and absorbed, creating early fullness and greater satiety (satisfaction from eating a small amount), which typically results in weight loss.

View surgical procedure webcast »

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