A gastric bypass surgery refers to a weight diminishing surgery that aids the morbidly overweight people to alleviate their weight in short time period. Such people mostly have serious health concerns such as diabetes and heart disease. These diseases are due to excessive weight and to cure their effects, such victims need to reduce weight. So, a gastric bypass surgery ensures this by altering the structure of the digestive system such that fewer calories are taken.
In our gastric system, the small intestine and stomach are vital organs, which have an important role to play. As we eat, the food gets combined with the gastric juices in the stomach after which it reaches the small intestine where Duodenum as first and jejunum as second part exist. Here, the nutrients or calories are extracted. The gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach size small and links it to the jejunum. Due to this, the stomach can now hold only small amount of food. As the duodenum is bypassed, fewer calories are now absorbed here. Two gastric bypass surgery forms exist namely, Roux-en-Y and Biliopancreatic diversion.
>> Roux-en-Y surgery
Again this type of gastric bypass surgery is split into two types namely, open bypass surgery and laparoscopic bypass surgery. The name of this surgery comes from the shape of the small intestine that is in Y shape and its connection to the novel small stomach. In this type, the upper stomach is separated from its lower area, a pocket is created, the small intestine is incised close to the jejunum, and this jejunum is linked with the pocket. The lower stomach is totally evaded and the food now reaches the jejunum via the pocket.
In the open surgery form, general anesthesia is administered and a big incision is induced via the belly. Then, the surgeon does a direct bypass by working on the small intestine and stomach. But, the laparoscopic surgery is totally different bypass wherein 5 to 6 tiny cuts are created in the region of the belly. Via one of the incisions, a laparoscope is instilled, which is an adaptable tube with a camera at its instilled tip. This tube is linked with a video screen so that the surgeon can see the internal area of the stomach, which is elevated by air for clear view. Through the remaining cuts, thin instruments are instilled to do the bypass
Among the two types, laparoscopic surgery is ideal for a gastric bypass surgery because it aids in soon recovery and has fewer complications.
>> Biliopancreatic diversion
Also known as the extensive gastric bypass procedure, this type of surgery is the most difficult one to perform and so is hardly implemented. In this form of gastric bypass surgery, the lower stomach part is totally discarded and the made pouch is linked with the small intestine’s rarest tip. This means that jejunum and duodenum are both evaded. The benefit is assured weight loss, but the risk is several nutritional shortages.
The several health problems signs that are caused because of obesity are alleviated by this surgery. Further, the surgery changes the daily life as a new diet is to be followed for the smooth working of the changed gastric system. However, any of the above gastric bypass surgery induces long lasting effects.
>> Risks 
There are many risk factors that influence the gastric bypass surgery: pre-existing factors, particular risks, and risks attributed to the surgeon’s experience level.
Pre-existing factors
- Extent of obesity
- Disruptive sleep apnea
- Diabetes
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Heart disease
General risks
All abdominal procedures have a few common risks. Listed below are those risks that are applicable even for a gastric bypass surgery.
- Hernia
- Infection
- Hemorrhage
- Bowel difficulty
- Thromboembolism
Specific risks
In addition to the above risks, a gastric bypass surgery also carries its own risks. Listed below are those potential risks and negative outcomes.
- Anastomotic ulcer
- Anastomotic leakage
- Dumping disease
