Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery, also called Roux-en-Y (roo-en-wy) gastric bypass surgery, is a type of weight loss surgery that involves creating a small pouch from the stomach and connecting the newly created directly to the small intestine. After gastric bypass surgery, swallowed food will go into this small stomach pouch and then directly into the small intestine, bypassing most of your stomach and the first section of your small intestine.

Why it's done

Gastric bypass surgery is performed to help you lose excess weight and reduce your risk of life-threatening weight-related health problems, including:

• Gastroesophageal reflux

• Cardiopathy

• High blood pressure

• High cholesterol level

• Obstructive sleep apnea

• Type 2 diabetes

• Stroke

• Cancer

• Infertility

Gastric bypass surgery is usually only done after trying to lose weight by improving your diet and exercise habits.

Risks

As with any major surgery, gastric bypass surgery and other weight loss surgeries have potential health risks, both short and long term.

The risks associated with surgery are similar to any abdominal surgery and may include:

• Excessive bleeding

• Infection

• Adverse reactions to anesthesia

• Blood clots

• Lung or breathing problems

• Leaks in your gastrointestinal system

Longer-term risks and complications of gastric bypass surgery can include:

• Bowel obstruction

• Dumping syndrome, causing diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting

• Gallstones

• Hernias

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

• Malnutrition

• Perforation of the stomach

• Ulcers

• Vomiting

Rarely, complications from gastric bypass surgery can be fatal.