Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery consists of several small incisions in the abdomen. A surgeon can insert a camera, lights and surgical instruments through these small incisions to perform the gastric bypass surgery. Because the incisions are smaller there is a reduced risk in wound related complications to include hernias over the open surgery method. Laparoscopic surgery reduces scarring and wound pain. Additionally, the recovery period is shortened with laparoscopic surgery.

Gastric bypass surgery is an effective tool for weight loss for the morbidly obese, meaning those 100 pounds or more over their healthy weight. A good candidate for weight loss surgery is someone who is committed to changing their eating and exercise habits, who has been overweight for at least five years and does not have any psychological problems contributing to their obesity.

Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery is preferred over open surgery because of the reduced risks of complications and reduced recovery time. Unfortunately, this type of surgery is not always an option. To increase the likelihood of having weight loss surgery laparoscopically, patients are asked to loose 10 to 20 pounds in the months prior to their surgery. Loosing even 5 pounds can reduce the fatty liver and shrink the size of the internal organs. The weight loss outcomes from laparoscopic surgery are equal to the open surgery method.

Abdominal surgery is complicated when the internal organs are fatty, and increased risk of surgical error occurs with the laparoscopic method when another organ could be nicked with a surgical instrument. It is essential to have surgeon who is experienced in laparoscopic surgery, as advanced laparoscopic skills are necessary.

Gastric bypass surgery is not an easy solution for obesity, but one that entails surgical risks and a commitment to better health. This commitment level, an experienced surgeon and a continuum of post-surgical support are necessary to achieve the desired results from gastric bypass surgery.