Gastric bypass

Q: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Obesity surgery through Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the prototype of gastric restriction combined with malabsorption. It is one of the most frequently carried out operations in the world. The stomach is divided either with mechanical or manual sutures, to obtain a small reservoir (+/- 15 ml), the size of restrictive surgeries. After this complete division of the stomach, the small intestine divides to connect the gastric reservoir to the intestine and the other sectioned part of the intestine connects again to the intestine, thus forming a loop in Greek (Y), starting the absorption of food only from this union of intestine with intestine (common loop). Therefore, a large area for grinding and absorbing food is bypassed (stomach, duodenum and part of the small intestine). This malabsorption may be greater or lesser depending on the size of the intestinal loops that lie before the union of the two loops, however, the greater the malabsorption established, the greater the risk of side effects.

Dividing up the stomach to create a smaller volume

Obesity surgery (bariatric surgery) through a Gastric Bypass is one of the most frequently performed surgeries in the world.

What is bariatric surgery?

Bariatric surgery is the most effective solution to combat obesity in our population, which has seen epidemic growth. This fact has been well documented in the media. It is estimated that in Europe alone there are around 160,000,000 patients, where around 1,500,000 are children. Discrimination prevails over obese people where self-esteem is at a very low level, leading to a lack of social engagement.

In a large proportion of these patients, both blood pressure and diabetes are altered, as well as other diseases that accompany them, meaning that family doctors and surgeons are increasingly subjected to greater pressure in an attempt to combat this problem, either surgically or non-surgically, by patients seeking long-term and effective weight loss. Surgical intervention is arguably the most effective and long-lasting form of treatment for morbid obesity.

What does a Gastric Bypass consist of?

A Gastric Bypass consists of dividing the stomach to obtain a smaller volume or reservoir.

After this division of the stomach, the small intestine divides to connect the small reservoir created to the intestine.

The main purpose of gastric bypass is to limit the amount of food a person can eat and reduce calorie absorption. As a result, the patient often experiences significant weight loss after surgery.

In addition to weight loss, gastric bypass can also help improve medical conditions related to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea and heart disease.

However, it is important to highlight that a gastric bypass is a complex and irreversible procedure, which involves risks and requires an ongoing commitment to changes in lifestyle and diet after surgery.

Which physician performs the bariatric surgery of a Gastric Bypass?

Living Clinic’s bariatric surgery team is led by surgeon Dr. Luís Sá Vinhas.

Gastric Bypass: Before and After

Discover the case of Cristina, who lost 40kg after bariatric surgery through gastric bypass, and Elisangela, who lost 35kg with the same surgery.

Cristina

Elisangela

Schedule a consultation to hear the surgeon’s recommendation for your particular case and clarify all your doubts.

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Obesity surgery through Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the prototype of gastric restriction combined with malabsorption. It is one of the most frequently carried out operations in the world. The stomach is divided either with mechanical or manual sutures, to obtain a small reservoir (+/- 15 ml), the size of restrictive surgeries.

After this complete division of the stomach, the small intestine divides to connect the gastric reservoir to the intestine and the other sectioned part of the intestine connects again to the intestine, thus forming a loop in Greek (Y), starting the absorption of food only from this union of intestine with intestine (common loop).

Therefore, a large area for grinding and absorbing food is bypassed (stomach, duodenum and part of the small intestine). This malabsorption may be greater or lesser depending on the size of the intestinal loops that lie before the union of the two loops, however, the greater the malabsorption established, the greater the risk of side effects.

In specific cases, where there are contraindications regarding Gastric Bypass and Gastric Sleeve, the remaining stomach that would be excluded in gastric bypass is removed.

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