Gastric bypass surgery alters the stomach in a way as to hold less food. Some of the procedures can be extensive with long stays in the hospital as well as longer healing times while others require no hospital stay. One type of surgery requires no cutting or stapling at all. These procedures are Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, mini gastric bypass, lap band, biliopancreatic diversion and laprascopic bypass surgery.
All of these procedures are malabsorptive (bypassing part of the small intestine) or restrictive. All gastric bypass procedures reduce the rate of calorie absorption and restricts the amount of food that can be taken in to the stomach. Because of these restrictions and less food being taken in, dramatic weight loss occurs.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
This surgery is drastically changes the size of a person's stomach and limits the amount of food that a person may take in. This procedure is performed by separating the upper part of the stomach from the lower part. This is done by stapling or bonding the stomach. A smaller stomach pouch is then formed. The surgeon then reroutes the small intestine to the new, smaller stomach. After a person has healed and begins to eat, they eat less food. The new stomach only holds about 1 oz. of food.
Mini Gastric Bypass
The mini gastric bypass surgery is almost like the Roux-en-Y. The difference is that it usually only takes 30 minutes and a new stomach pouch is not created. The stomach is stabled into a tube-like shape on the side of the stomach that is less curved. This part of the stomach is attached to the lower intestines. When someone eats, the stomach holds less food and is emptied right into the small intestines. This surgery involves minimal cutting, unlike the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
Lap Band
One of the newest procedures being performed is the Lap Band. This procedure has the same results as the other surgeries. The difference is that no stapling or cutting is involved. The Lap Band is performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive). An adjustable band is then placed on the top of the stomach. The band is made from a silicone material that has soft, precurved sections. These sections can be adjusted with silicon by a port that is located right under the skin. This port isn't visible to the eye. When adjustment is needed, a small needle is stuck into the skin, where the port is. A saline solution is then injected or withdrawn, depending on how the band needs to be adjusted.
Biliopancreatic Diversion
Biliopancreatic Diversion is a more complicated type of gastric bypass surgery. This surgery involves removing the large section of the stomach. The small pouch is then attached to the end of the small intestine. The upper end of the intestine that is normally attached to the stomach is sealed off and left unattached. The upper end remains within the abdominal cavity.
Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic bypass surgery is a less invasive surgery with minimal time in the hospital. This type of gastric bypass is done with a laprascope and TV monitors. Several tiny holes are cut into the stomach. They are just big enough to allow the scopes to pass through. The surgeon operates through these scopes while looking at TV monitors. The new stomach is formed and the small intestine is rerouted. Laparoscopic bypass is an easier way of having surgery than being cut open. With this type of surgery, there is less time in the hospital and faster healing.
