The procedure of gastric by-pass is a quite popular surgical method of obesity treatment in the United States and also more and more often performed in Europe. After the procedure of gastric by-pass the digestive tracts are irreversibly modified and owing to that the time of effective digestion and absorption is significantly reduced, which notably supports the effects of slimming. This method is very effective – body mass loss in 6-10 months amounts approximately to 65%. Stomach by-pass is very efficient and it works very well with obese patients, who have a tendency to take in foods uncontrollably.

gastric-bypass-schemat

This type of surgery comprises of reducing the size of the stomach by dividing it into two differently sized parts. By connecting it to the oesophagus a so called smaller stomach space and, separate, staying in place, bigger space, are created. The small intestine is divided about 45 cm below the pylorus. The end of the shorter part, extending from the stomach, was connected to the intestine approximately 80-150 cm from the cutting site, while the beginning of the longer part is connected to small stomach space.

Smaller stomach limits taking in large amounts of food. The food is directed straight to the smaller intestine, skipping duodendum and about 150 cm of jejunum, by which the effective time of digestion and absorption is reduced.

This procedure is performed under general anaesthesia, laparoscopically and lasts about 2 hours.

After the surgery the patient stays in the hospital for several days and after several week returns to normal activity. After the procedure the patient should change dietary habits. For the first two weeks the diet should be liquid and mixed, and after 2 weeks solid foods can be introduced.

Critical indications for gastric by-pass procedure:

  • BMI > 40
  • BMI> 35 if combined with other obesity-related diseases, e.g. diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea and others
  • age between 18-65

Advantages of gastric by-pass surgery method:

  • glycemia normalisation among patients with diabetes II among 90% of patients
  • improvement of blood pressure value among about 70% of patients
  • retreat of lipid disturbances among 70% of patients
  • retreat of sleep apnea symptoms
  • almost entire retreat of reflux disease symptoms

The risk of perioperative complications after laparoscopic gastric by-pass procedure is relatively low (7%), particularly in comparison with classical surgical procedure method (then it amounts to over 14%).