This process is sometimes referred to as a “Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass”. This type of operation is the most common type of bariatric surgery today. Let’s dive into the details of the procedure.
Bariatric surgery consists of two parts. In the first part, the doctor dissects most of the stomach away from the gastric pathway. In this way, the majority of the stomach is separated from the digestive tract. Next, the doctor makes a small incision over a small part of the small intestine. This small intestine is then connected to the new, smaller stomach. Most of the stomach is excluded from the food path. Despite this, this larger part of the stomach is still attached to the small intestine. This way the stomach continues to produce stomach acid and enzymes for digestion. These enzymes react with the ingested food a little later.
Removing most of the stomach from the food path means that the patient cannot eat a large amount of food. This, in turn, leads to a lower calorie consumption, and thus weight loss. Moreover, most of the stomach does not react with food directly.
The other thing this process causes is that the body derives fewer nutrients and fewer calories from eating food. All the time. Let’s move on to the advantages and disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery.
Advantages of gastric bypass surgery:
Patients lose 60% to 80% of their excess weight in the end result.
It limits the amount of food patients can eat in one sitting.
make changes in the gut microbiome and hormones; This leads to less appetite. In other words, patients feel less hungry.
More than 50% of the weight loss remains lost in this type of operation.
Disadvantages of this process:
This operation is rather complicated, getting this operation from an inexperienced doctor increases certain risks of unwanted complications.
Since the body cannot absorb nutrients as efficiently as before, a deficiency may occur in some nutritional components such as calcium, folate, iron or vitamin B12 deficiency.
Patients have to stay in hospital for longer compared to other types of bariatric operations
This process requires lifelong aftercare. Patients need to adhere to individual dietary restrictions. Some may need ongoing vitamin or mineral supplementation. In addition, it is necessary to carry out periodic examinations.
