preloader
GET STARTED Start your journey with our “Do I Qualify” questionnaire

Gastric Bypass

ABOUT OUR SURGERIES

Gastric Bypass

The gastric bypass (also known as the Roux-en-Y or RYGB) is the weight loss procedure that has been performed the longest with excellent results.
The small gastric pouch causes patients to feel full sooner and eat less; bypassing a portion of the intestine means the patient’s body absorbs fewer calories.
We believe that the laparoscopic gastric bypass, when performed properly, produces the best long term results.
Gastric bypass image

How it works

The gastric bypass works in several ways to promote weight loss:
01
A very small stomach is created to limit the amount of food you can eat at once. You will be physically unable to eat large portions in one sitting.
02
The intestines are reconfigured to prevent your body from absorbing all the nutrients (or calories) that you will eat.
03
Your hunger hormone (ghrelin) will decrease and your fullness hormone (leptin) will increase, causing you to feel less of the sensation of hunger and to feel satisfied for longer between meals. As well, other hormones will increase to improve diabetes.
LOSE 70% OF YOUR EXCESS WEIGHT

Expectations

You can expect to lose about 70% of your excess weight by 1 year after surgery with a much higher likelihood of keeping the weight off for many years to come. However this will require you to follow the medical, nutrition, and lifestyle advice recommended by our medical team, including the surgeon, nurse, and dietitian.
In addition to weight loss, you will feel and experience and improvement in any obesity-related health conditions you may have, such as improved or resolved diabetes, improved cholesterol levels, improved blood pressure, less joint and back pain, resolved heartburn or acid reflux, and improved airway function (asthma and/or sleep apnea). Research has also shown a lower risk of developing obesity-related cancer after having bariatric surgery, and people who have surgery live longer than those who do not. In addition, women may also experience an improvement in fertility.
Disclaimer: Individual results may vary.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages:
The most reliable surgery that has been performed for more than 50 years with excellent long-term results if all the medical, nutrition, and lifestyle advice is followed.
Effective in improving or resolving obesity-related health conditions.
Dumping syndrome is a side effect of this surgery that causes you to feel sick when eating sweets or greasy foods. Although this may appear negative, some patients prefer this option if they have craved sugary foods all their lives.
Resolution of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD).
Disadvantages:
Technically this is a more complex surgery than the sleeve gastrectomy.
Higher risk of vitamin and mineral deficiencies (calcium, vitamin D, iron, vitamin B12, etc). If routine blood tests are done and vitamins and minerals are taken as prescribed, the risk is minimal.
Lifelong risk of developing an internal hernia or small bowel obstruction.
Risk of developing ulcers with NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatories) use or tobacco.
Dumping syndrome is a side effect of this surgery that causes you to feel sick when eating sweets or greasy foods. This is an unpleasant but avoidable experience.

How it’s performed

Step 1.
The surgeon will make 5 small incisions on your abdomen to allow entry for the laparoscopic camera and instruments to perform the surgery. This technique reduces the risk of infection, recovery time, and pain.
Step 2.
The surgeon will separate the stomach into two parts to create a very small stomach about the size of an egg. The smaller stomach will prevent you from eating large amounts. The remainder of the stomach is not removed; it continues to produce digestive juices but food will no longer pass through the ‘remnant’ stomach.
Step 3.
The upper portion of the intestine is divided and the lower end of this is attached to the new smaller stomach. This will allow food to pass and will also create some malabsorption which is a component that will help with weight loss.
Step 4.
Another connection is made lower down connecting the upper part of the intestine to the middle part of the intestine. This will allow digestive juices produced by the stomach, pancreas, and gallbladder, to join up with the small amount of food you will eat so that your body can absorb the nutrients you need for life. This connection is the “Y” part of the “Roux-en-Y”.