Gastric bypass surgery

A surgical solution for those struggling with weight loss

Gastric bypass surgery is a highly effective weight-loss procedure designed to help individuals achieve significant weight loss when traditional methods like diet and exercise have not succeeded. 

This surgery is especially beneficial for those with severe weight-related health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea.

During the procedure, a skilled surgeon creates a small pouch in your stomach and connects it directly to your small intestine. This process reduces the size of your stomach, helping you eat less and feel full faster. Additionally, it alters the way your body absorbs calories and nutrients, further aiding weight loss.

Gastric bypass surgery is typically performed laparoscopically, using small incisions and a camera for precision. This minimally invasive technique often results in:

• Shorter recovery time

• Reduced scarring

• Lower risk of complications

Who is a Candidate?

Patients who are overweight but who have not achieved significant weight loss through diet, exercise, or medication.

Also considered for:

• Poorly controlled type 2 diabetes despite medical therapy.

Recovery Timeline

This is likely to vary with provider.

• Hospital stay: Typically 2–4 days (laparoscopic approach preferred)
• Initial recovery:
  • Gradual diet progression: clear liquids → pureed foods → soft solids over 4–6 weeks
  • Mild fatigue and discomfort common for 1–2 weeks
• Return to light activities: 2–4 weeks
• Full recovery: 6–8 weeks
• Significant weight loss: usually seen over 12–18 months.

Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation (e.g., B12, iron, calcium, vitamin D) required.

Benefits

• Significant and sustained weight loss (typically 60–80% of excess body weight)
• Improvement or resolution of obesity-related conditions; Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnoea, dyslipidaemia
• Reduced cardiovascular risk and improved quality of life
• Hormonal effects (changes in gut hormones) promote satiety (feeling full) and better glucose control.

Risks

• Surgical complications: bleeding, infection, leaks at the connection site
• Nutritional deficiencies (iron, calcium, B12, folate, vitamin D)
• Dumping syndrome (nausea, diarrhoea, sweating after eating sugary foods)
• Bowel obstruction or strictures
• Gallstones due to rapid weight loss
• Psychological challenges - adjustment to rapid body changes and eating habits.

Gastric bypass is one of the most effective bariatric surgeries for long-term weight loss and metabolic improvement - but it requires lifelong dietary adherence, supplementation, and follow-up to avoid nutritional complications.

This is just an outline. Your specialist surgeon will be able to talk to you about these issues in more detail and make sure that there is informed consent.