Gastric Bypass Specialist

What is gastric bypass?

Gastric bypass, also called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a type of bariatric (weight loss) surgery available at Advanced Surgeons. It’s one of the most popular types; it works by limiting the number of calories and nutrients you absorb when you eat. 

During gastric bypass surgery, your surgeon creates a small pouch in your stomach and connects it to the small intestine. That allows food to bypass your stomach and the part of the small intestine it would normally go through. 

By allowing food to skip a large portion of your stomach and small intestine, your body can’t absorb calories and nutrients at the same rate.

Am I a good candidate for gastric bypass?

Just like other types of bariatric surgery, gastric bypass may be an option if you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. It’s also an option for those who have a BMI of 35 or higher but have health conditions associated with their obesity.

During a consultation, the team at Advanced Surgeons reviews your health and weight loss goals. There are many factors for them to consider before recommending bariatric surgery in order to choose the right approach. Gastric bypass is a strong option for those who have:

• Chronic gastric reflux
• Barrett’s esophagus
• Diabetes

In order to experience the best possible results from gastric bypass surgery, you must be willing to make drastic long-term lifestyle changes. 

Doing so, and recovering from the surgery, can be a stressful and taxing process. Advanced Surgeons makes sure you’re psychologically ready to commit to the major changes. 

What should I expect after gastric bypass?

Gastric bypass and other bariatric surgeries require lots of support and aftercare. The dieticians and providers at Advanced Surgeons make sure you have a strong support system in place and help you navigate life after surgery during and after recovery. 

Immediately after surgery, you have to consume a liquid-only diet as your stomach heals. Your provider helps you progress to pureed foods and reintroduce solid foods gradually when the time is right. You also need to take vitamins and dietary supplements to make sure you’re getting the nutrition you need. 

In the first several months after your gastric bypass surgery, you visit Advanced Surgeons regularly for tests and aftercare. Your provider may perform blood tests, monitor your weight, and examine your health in other ways to make sure you’re recovering smoothly. 

Within two years after gastric bypass surgery, you can expect to lose up to 70% or more of your body weight. You can also expect improvements in health conditions associated with obesity like heart disease, sleep apnea, Type 2 diabetes, and infertility. 

To learn more about gastric bypass surgery and find out if you’re a candidate, call Advanced Surgeons or book an appointment online today.