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Treatment

Gastric Bypass

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass is an operation which has stood the test of time. It is the most widely performed bariatric procedure in the USA. It is available as a keyhole procedure with Gravitas.

The Bypass has two different ways of encouraging weight loss – small portions and reduced calorie absorption. Portion size is controlled with the creation of a small pouch of stomach at the bottom end of the gullet. Stretching of this pouch makes you feel full, even though you haven't eaten much.

As well as eating less after a bypass, you also won’t be able to absorb all of the calories you have consumed. Without digestive juices, food cannot be broken down and the calories tend to remain within the bowel instead of entering the body. By rearranging the bowel, food leaving the stomach pouch is diverted directly into the mid-small intestine, and kept away from the digestive juices. The digestive juices are redirected into the food channel about 75cm to 150cm downstream of the stomach, so that normal digestion can start lower down in the bowel.

With two different ways of producing weight loss, the gastric bypass is usually a more effective operation than gastric banding. Weight loss is also more rapid and will generally be complete within a year.

Living with a Gastric Bypass

• Faster, more reliable and more effective weight loss than banding.
• You do not have to be ‘super' obese to qualify for a gastric bypass.
• Serious nutritional problems are rare after gastric bypass. We monitor you closely and take regular blood tests to ensure that you lose weight in a safe and healthy manner.
• Once you have recovered from the operation and have adjusted your eating habits you will be able to enjoy a wide range of normal food.
• The gastric bypass will force you to chew carefully and eat slowly.
• Portions are small and there is a mild reduction in food absorption.
• Dumping syndrome (fainting, diarrhoea and cramps) if you eat even moderate amounts of sugary food.
• Diarrhoea is rarely seen.
• International gold standard published results typically 0.25% mortality, 1-2% leak rate. 
  
• Gravitas rolling two year results: 0% mortality January 2008 to December 2009
• Not reversible.
• Keyhole surgery.
• 3 nights in hospital.
• You can have an active social life and enjoy your favourite restaurants
• You can still drink alcohol in moderation.