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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