GASTRIC
BYPASS
Dr. Bello and the expert medical team at Minimally Invasive and Bariatric Surgery (MIB) are the first of their kind to perform gastric bypasses. Gastric bypass has long been considered the gold standard for weight loss surgery.
What is a gastric bypass?
A gastric bypass, also known as a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is the oldest and best known form of weight loss surgery. It is known as a bypass because the entire procedure allows for a smaller stomach pouch and a shorter segment of small intestine, bypassing the normal intestinal route
How is a gastric bypass performed?
Dr. Abel Bello performs gastric bypass using minimally invasive endoscopic surgical techniques whenever possible. If the patient suffers from dangerous comorbidities or does not qualify for minimally invasive practices, we may revert to open surgery.
Dr. Abel Bello makes small incisions to insert surgical tools into the patient's abdomen. From there, the upper part of the stomach becomes a small pouch. A separate, smaller resection of the small intestine is performed. The lower half of the intestine is brought up and connected to the new stomach pouch. This creates a smaller passageway for food and digestion.
How does a gastric bypass work?
The body changes of gastric bypass surgery stimulate weight loss because:
- The newly created stomach pouch is significantly smaller than it was before surgery. This causes the patient to eat smaller portions, which means they consume fewer calories.
- The shortened digestive process allows less time for calories to be absorbed.
- Diverting the digestive flow of food produces changes in "gut hormones". These changes promote satiety, suppress hunger and even reverse one of the main causes of type 2 diabetes.
Who is qualified for gastric bypass?
If you have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more, you are automatically qualified for this procedure, or if you have a BMI over 35 with comorbidities, you may be a candidate for gastric bypass. The best way to find out if you are qualified for this procedure is to schedule a consultation!
What should I expect after surgery?
You will wake up in the recovery room approximately 1 to 2 hours before our staff moves you to your hospital room. On average, most patients stay in the hospital for three days. If your procedure was performed using minimally invasive techniques rather than open surgery, your discharge is usually sooner; possibly after 1 to 2 days. The expected recovery time for a gastric bypass patient is two to three weeks, but varies from patient to patient. Depending on patients' individual situations, they may need more or less time to recover.
Can I get pregnant after surgery?
Yes! A resounding YES! This is a question we get asked quite frequently and is a more than reasonable concern. The only stipulation is that you must wait until all post-operative effects have ceased and you have reached a stable weight before becoming pregnant. The timetable for this stabilization is generally 16 to 18 months.
Abel Bello, MD, is a board-certified general surgeon who specializes in minimally invasive procedures, including surgeries using the da Vinci® surgical system. At MIB Surgery in Plantation, Florida, he performs bariatric surgery, reflux surgery, and specialized procedures using a flexible endoscope.