Gastric bypass is the most common type of bariatric, or weight loss, surgery. The technical name for this procedure is laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. It has been used for decades and is considered by many as the gold standard of weight loss surgery, which means it is the operation against which other operations are compared when considering the results following surgery.

How does gastric bypass surgery work?

In any type of bariatric surgery, the stomach is being operated on in order to reduce body weight and keep it off. Weight loss from gastric bypass comes from restriction and malabsorption. The surgery transforms the stomach into a small pouch. This reduces the amount of food that the patient eats, therefore causing weight loss. The intestines are also rerouted in this type of weight loss surgery. This causes malabsorption – fewer calories are absorbed from food. 

Benefits of gastric bypass

Gastric bypass surgery is incredibly effective. Many patients report losing up to 65 percent of their excess weight due to the procedure, and sometimes more. The weight loss occurs over a 1-2-year period following surgery. The majority of people are able to keep most or all of this weight off for the rest of their lives. This makes gastric bypass one of the most effective weight loss solutions available today.

As technology has advanced, bariatric surgery has become less invasive. When gastric bypass surgery was first introduced, it was an open operation that required a large incision. The recovery time was long, including seven to 10 days in the hospital. Today, gastric bypass is performed laparoscopically. Also called keyhole surgery, this procedure uses very small incisions, cameras, and specialized instruments. Patients often only need to stay in the hospital for one night after this minimally invasive procedure, and they can return to work in as little as two to six weeks depending on their job. People with desk jobs often return after two weeks or less depending on how they are feeling, while those whose work requires more strenuous activity may not return for up to six weeks. 

Gastric bypass surgery is covered by most health insurance plans. The procedure is known for reducing or eliminating the risk of health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and sleep apnea. The probability of getting these or other diseases decreases significantly after surgery. Because insurance companies like covering people with less risk of severe illness, they often cover the cost of bariatric surgery.

The Best Bariatric Care in California

BASS Bariatric Surgery Center and Dr. Brian T. Chin offers some of the best bariatric care in northern California. Our team is ready to make you as comfortable as possible during your recovery from your surgery. If you are interested in gastric bypass surgery and want to know more, contact our expert bariatric surgeons to find out if this surgery is right for you.