Gastric Bypass

Gastric Bypass means creating a passageway from the stomach to the intestines in general surgery. It is a method applied in various diseases blocking the gastric outlet. Gastric Bypass, as used in obesity surgery, is a surgical method in which most of the stomach is disabled and the food taken is digested by using almost only half of the intestines.

To Whom Is Gastric Bypass Surgery Applied?

Gastric Bypass can be applied to patients who are obese and cannot lose weight or who have weight-related complaints such as insulin resistance and joint disease. Although it was the most frequently applied surgical method until five years ago, the frequency of its application has decreased as sleeve gastrectomy became more popular. It is now applied as a second operation (revision surgery) in patients who gain weight again after sleeve gastrectomy.

How is Gastric Bypass surgery performed?

The entire procedure is carried out by the laparoscopic (closed) surgery method. Laparoscopic surgery is done by performing a large number of small incisions. The ports placed from these incisions are utilized to reach the abdomen with hand tools. One is for the introduction of surgical telescopes and others are for specialized surgical instruments attached to a video camera. The surgeon watches the operation on a video monitor. Due to his/her experience, an experienced laparoscopic surgeon can perform many procedures laparoscopically, just like in open surgery.

What are the disadvantages of Gastric Bypass surgery compared to Tube Gastric surgery?

Gastric Bypass may cause longer-term vitamin deficiencies and mineral deficiencies (especially deficiencies in vitamin B12, iron, calcium, and folate).
It requires dietary recommendations of lifelong vitamin-mineral supplementation and follow-up.
Intervention options for weight regain are more limited.
When there is a problem, there is no chance to interfere with the bile ducts and pancreatic duct with endoscopy. Procedures such as ERCP and biopsy cannot be performed.
Since the part of the stomach that secretes the appetite hormone is not removed, the decrease in appetite is less compared to the tube stomach.