Gastric Bypass

Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure that divides the stomach into a small pouch and diverts food around the first part of the small intestine where fats and sugars are normally absorbed.  This allows food to pass from the pouch directly into the small intestine.

It works by restricting the amount of food that can be ingested and reducing the absorption of fats and sugars.  The combination of smaller volumes of food and fewer calories absorbed results in substantial weight loss.

There are 2 types of Gastric Bypass and they differ by the number of bowel joins.  The One Anastomosis Gastric Bypass has only one bowel join (anastomosis) whereas in the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass there are two joins – an upper and a lower. 

There are advantages and disadvantages to both procedures and individualised advice is important.