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Gastric bypass helps people lose more weight compared to other bariatric procedures and improves chronic diseases like Type 2 diabetes, acid reflux, and sleep apnea. The bariatric surgery specialists at Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates are devoted to supporting each patient throughout their weight-loss journey, helping them reach their goals and create an active, healthy life. Call the office in Wildomar, Temecula, Hemet, or Corona, California, today, or connect online to request an appointment and learn how gastric bypass can transform your life.
What is a gastric bypass?
A gastric bypass, also called a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is one of the most effective weight loss surgeries (bariatric surgery).
While a gastric bypass is more complex than other bariatric procedures, it produces long-lasting results. Most patients lose 70% of their weight within two years if they stick with their diet and exercise plan.
How does a gastric bypass promote weight loss?
A gastric bypass reduces the size of your stomach. You feel full after eating a small amount and consume fewer calories.
This procedure also changes how your food is digested and absorbed. After the surgery, food bypasses the upper part of the small intestine. Because most calories (and nutrients) are absorbed in that area, bypassing it means fewer calories enter your bloodstream.
Finally, a gastric bypass dramatically decreases hormones that make you feel hungry and alters diabetes-related hormones. As a result, the procedure treats Type 2 diabetes, putting the disease into remission for 80% of patients.
What happens during a gastric bypass?
Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates performs a laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Laparoscopy is a minimally invasive procedure using several tiny incisions and narrow instruments.
The laparoscope contains a camera that sends magnified images to a monitor. Your surgeon inserts surgical instruments through other small incisions and manually controls them outside your body while viewing the monitor.
They perform several steps during a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass:
Reduce stomach size
To reduce your stomach size, your surgeon separates the top of your stomach from the bottom, leaving a tiny pouch in the upper part.
Bypass the small intestine
Your surgeon cuts the small intestine into two parts and connects the bottom half to your new, tiny stomach pouch. The food you eat leaves the pouch and goes directly into the lower part of the small intestine, bypassing absorption in the upper part.
Restore digestive enzymes
Food usually mixes with digestive enzymes in the upper part of the small intestine. Because your weight loss surgery bypasses that part, your surgeon connects the small intestine’s upper part to the lower half, below the stomach pouch, letting food mix with essential enzymes.
Call Murrieta Valley Surgery Associates today or use online booking to schedule a consultation and learn if gastric bypass surgery is the best choice for you.