Gastric Bypass Procedure
A gastric bypass is an operation to create a new stomach pouch and bypass. It is achieved by grafting (attaching) a piece of intestine onto the pouch so that food passes through the pouch and down the bypass.
The most common type of bypass procedure is the “Roux-en-y”. This involves the bariatric surgeon creating a small stomach pouch by stapling part of the stomach together or vertical banding, which reduces the patient’s appetite and capacity for food.
Then a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the duodenum as well as the first portion of the jejunum. This reduces the body’s absorption of food so that fewer calories are being used.