What is a Gastric Bypass surgery?

Sage Bariatric Surgeons have performed thousands of Gastric Bypass surgeries.  The Gastric Bypass (full name is Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass) is done laparoscopically (minimally invasive) under general anesthesia. Surgical staplers are used to divide the upper stomach, leaving only a small upper segment of stomach to hold food. No stomach or intestine is removed, but the intestine is re-routed to carry food downstream without entering the lower “bypassed” stomach or duodenum. Our patients’ metabolism and hunger levels are improved by having the food “skip” the complex neuro-hormonal reflex systems of the lower stomach and duodenum.

Food mixes with digestive juices at the downstream connection, and there is a long section of normal small intestine downstream where normal food absorption occurs. If patients eat sugar after this procedure, they are likely to have a condition called “dumping syndrome,” which includes nausea, cramping pain, and diarrhea; dumping only happens if the patient “goes off the plan” by eating sugar. The larger section of stomach that is bypassed keeps its many small blood vessels so it remains healthy and remains in place.

How long is the hospital stay and when can I go back to work?

Due to the experience and expertise of our surgeons and facilities, many of our patients feel ready to go home on the afternoon after their operation (one night in the hospital), although some may remain for another night for management of their pre-surgical conditions. The vast majority are back at work 2 weeks from surgery.

How much weight do people usually lose after a gastric bypass?

Results vary from patient to patient, but on average patients lose from 70-250 pounds after this operation. Besides just losing weight, many medical problems improve or resolve as well, including: GERD (gastro-esophageal reflux disease) 72-98%, High Blood Pressure 60-92%, Sleep apnea 74-98%, Type II Diabetes 83%, Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome 79-100%, migraines 57%, and more.