What is Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Among the many bariatric and metabolic surgeries, laparoscopic gastric bypass has the longest history of use and is comparatively more effective in treating diabetes and morbid obesity.
Laparoscopic gastric bypass is a minimally invasive surgery to treat morbid obesity and diabetes. This surgical procedure involves splitting the stomach into two parts, where the smaller part will be connected to a distal portion of the small intestine.
Significant weight loss and superior diabetic control is achieved by limiting the amount of food ingested and the undigested food bypasses a section of the small intestines that is responsible to absorb nutrients. As such, this operation is more definitive and durable compared to many other types of weight loss surgeries.
The advantages of Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic gastric bypass is a surgical treatment for morbid obesity and many other obesity related conditions, especially diabetes. It is mainly offered to patients with morbid obesity i.e. BMI >35 or BMI >30 with one more more obesity related conditions. After the operation, patients are expected to loose 70-80% of their excess weight within 2 years. The following are a number of diseases which laparoscopic gastric bypass may potentially improve or even cure:
- Diabetes
- Hypertension
- Hyperlipidemia (high cholesterol)
- Fatty liver
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- Osteoarthritis
- Gastro- esophageal reflux disease
The risks of Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass and successful rate
No surgical procedure is free of risks. The overall risks of laparoscopic gastric bypass is less than 1%, comparable to many other general surgical procedures that are commonly performed. The following is a list of the possible complications:
- Bleeding
- Infection
- Leakage from the staple line or anastomosis
- Gallstones- Loosing weight quickly after surgery may cause more fat to be processed through the liver and lead to cholesterol stones forming in the gallbladder
- Nutritional deficiencies- It is often very difficult to make sure and control the amount of nutrients taken after surgery since the amount of food eating will be significantly reduced. Therefore, regular follow-up with your surgeon and dietitian, in addition to taking long- term nutritional supplements will help to reduce the risk.
- Ulcers at the anastomosis, stomach or duodenum
Procedure guide of Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic gastric bypass is a minimally- invasive surgical procedure that is done inside the hospital under general anesthesia. The following is an overall rundown of the surgery:
- You might be asked to be admitted to the hospital one night before the surgery for some basic investigations before the operation.
- You will be asked to stop eating and drinking about 6-8 hours before the surgery.
- You will receive general anesthesia by a qualified anesthesiologist.
- Your surgeon will make 4-5 small cuts on your abdomen where specialized instruments will be inserted into your abdomen to perform the surgery.
- The stomach is split into two parts, where the smaller part will be connected to a distal portion of the small intestine. This assists in weight loss and diabetic control by controlling the amount of food ingested and undigested food bypasses a section of the small intestines that is responsible to absorb nutrients. As such, this operation is more definitive and longstanding compared to many other types of weight loss surgeries.
- The surgery usually takes about 180 minutes to complete.
The instructions of post Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass surgery
Soon after the surgery, you will be woken up and escorted to the recovery room. Once your surgeon and nurses are satisfied that you are stable after the surgery, you will be taken back to the ward. The following is a list of what may happen after the surgery:
- You will likely be allowed to drink small amounts of water soon after the surgery.
- A mixture of oral and intravenous analgesics will be given to relieve the pain from the surgery.
- You will be encouraged to get out of bed and mobilize the next day and will be allowed to drink fluids.
- Most patient will stay in the hospital for 2 more days after the surgery
- During the first few weeks after the operation, you will have to follow strict dietary instructions from a qualified dietitian in order to allow the stomach and anastomosis to heal well and ensure that you intake an adequate amount of nutrition.
- During the first 10 days after the operation, you will be advised not to shower or get your wounds wet. This is mainly to help avoid wound infection.
- After the surgery, it usually takes around 3-4 weeks before you can return to work as it takes time for the body to adapt to a new eating habit and to get use to dietary instructions from the dietitian.
