Undergoing a gastric bypass procedure is a life-altering experience that will affect your health and well-being. Having bariatric surgery is major life decision ad it is important to understand the procedure. The most common gastric bypass surgery is the Roux-en-Y bypass. It is traditionally performed with one long incision, but is also now being done laparoscopically with less scaring and faster recovery. This procedure reduces the stomach size through either stapling or banding, leaving a smaller stomach pouch intact. The stomach pouch is then attached to a Y-shaped portion of the small intestine, bypassing both the upper portion and part of the middle portion of the small intestine. Gastric bypass surgery both limits the amount of food a person can eat and the absorption of calories and nutrients from the food through the intestinal bypass. In a biliopancreatic diversion bypass surgery, a portion of the stomach is surgically removed and the remaining portion of the stomach is attached o the ileum, or lower portion of the small intestine. This gastric bypass procedure circumvents both the duodenum and the jejunum, the upper and mid sections of the small intestine. Because this surgery is more invasive it has a longer recovery time and is less commonly used. When most of the small intestine is bypassed, there is a greater risk for nutritional deficiencies as absorption of both calories and nutrients occurs in the small intestine. Patients are hospitalized for two to three days after a bariatric procedure. Most people need two to five weeks of recovery time before they can return to normal activities. There can be significant discomfort, swelling and soreness in the abdomen following surgery, which can be treated with prescription medication. An after-care treatment consists of a dietary plan, vitamin supplements, regular exercise and behavior-modification therapy that can include support groups, a dietician or even a psychologist.
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