Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass surgery

Specifically, the Roux-en-Y procedure is a common weight-loss surgery that involves modifying the digestive system to help patients lose weight. Here’s a breakdown of how it works and the potential complications:

Meet Your Surgeons

Dr. Jean-Pierre

After his general surgery training in Chicago, Dr. JP began his fellowship with a concentration in bariatrics at the Morehouse School of Medicine through Atlanta Medical Center. He is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons and the American Society of Metabolic and Bariatric Surgeons.

Dr. Menachery

Dr. Menachery is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery. He is a member of the American College of Surgeons, the Society of American Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Surgeons, and the American Society of Metabolic & Bariatric Surgeons.

Dr. Hall

Dr. Hall is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery that specializes in both Bariatric and General Surgery. She received her education and training for Emory University.

Dr. Major

Dr. Major is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery. He is also a member of the American College of Surgeons and the Southeastern Surgical Congress.

Dr. Renee
Hilton

Dr. Hilton is Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. She is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery and specializes in bariatric and foregut surgery. She completed a fellowship in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Yale University.

Dr. Aaron Buldoc

Dr. Bolduc is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery and specializes in bariatric, foregut and adrenal surgery. He completed a fellowship in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Vanderbilt University.

Dr. Jaine McKenzie

Dr. McKenzie is board certified by the American Board of General Surgery and specializes in bariatric and foregut surgery. She completed a fellowship in Bariatric and Minimally Invasive Surgery at Vanderbilt University.

How It Works

Procedure:

• Stomach Reduction: The surgeon creates a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. This pouch is about the size of a walnut and can hold only about an ounce of food.
  
• Bypassing the Small Intestine: The small pouch is then connected directly to the middle part of the small intestine (the jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper part of the small intestine (the duodenum). This reduces the amount of food you can eat and the number of calories and nutrients your body absorbs.
  
• Average time for surgery: The average time for a gastric bypass surgery, specifically the Roux-en-Y procedure, typically ranges from two to four hours. This duration can vary depending on the complexity of the case and the surgeon’s experience.

Recovery

• Most patients stay in the hospital for 1 days after the surgery.
• Full recovery usually takes about 4-6 weeks, during which patients gradually transition from a liquid diet to solid foods using the post operatively dietary guidelines.

Potential Complications:

• Nutritional Deficiencies: Because the surgery limits the absorption of nutrients, patients may experience deficiencies in vitamins and minerals such as iron, calcium, vitamin B12, and others.
• Dumping Syndrome: This occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, causing symptoms like nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, and sweating. It can be managed with dietary changes.
• Stomal Stenosis: This is the narrowing of the opening between the stomach and small intestine, which can cause vomiting and difficulty eating. It may require medical intervention.
• Peritonitis: A rare serious complication where a leak from the stomach can cause an infection in the abdominal cavity. Symptoms include fever, severe abdominal pain, and rapid heart rate.
• Weight Regain: Over time, some patients may regain weight if they do not adhere to dietary guidelines and lifestyle changes.
  

Long-term Considerations

Patients who undergo gastric bypass surgery typically lose about 60% to 75% of their excess body weight within the first two to three years. This weight loss is generally sustained over time if patients adhere to recommended dietary and lifestyle changes.

EX. For example, if a patient has 100 pounds of excess weight, they can expect to lose approximately 60 to 75 pounds within this period.

Gastric bypass surgery can be highly effective for weight loss, but it’s important to be aware of these potential risks and work closely with healthcare providers to manage them. If you have any specific concerns or need more detailed information, consulting with a bariatric surgeon or a healthcare professional is always a good idea.

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