The Gold Standard of Bariatric Surgery
You may hear your consultant surgeon refer to the gastric bypass as the ‘gold standard’ of bariatric surgery. It holds this status for several reasons, but mainly because of how long surgeons have been utilising the method to help obese patients lose weight. In fact, the very first Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass was performed in 1967, and has since been developed. What this means for patients and surgeons is that there is a huge amount of data and studies that have reported on the effectiveness and success of the procedure. This makes it extremely well documented and as such, the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is considered an extremely trustworthy evidence-based surgery to opt for.
This surgery typically helps patients lose up to around 70% of their excess weight as measured over a two year period. It helps patients to achieve this via restrictive and malabsorptive methods, also drastically reducing production of the hunger hormone known as ghrelin.
No part of the stomach is removed during the gastric bypass (a distinct difference to the gastric sleeve), instead it is best to think of the gastric bypass as a replumbing, with the creation of a new stomach pouch.
Roux-en-Y vs Mini Gastric Bypass: What’s the Difference?
The Mini Gastric Bypass is also known as the single-anastomosis gastric bypass, a term which refers to the number of surgical joins involved in the creation of the new stomach. This method of the gastric bypass is a lot more recent, but has a number of benefits over its predecessor, including a reduced risk of medical complications.
This is, however, still a major operation, and should be considered as such by prospective patients.
Care After Surgery
The surgery can be completed anywhere between 1 and 4 hours, and as a patient you would be expected to remain in the hospital overnight for observations, after which you should be able to go home. This does not mean that you will be left to your own devices while you recover, which can take up to 8 weeks (with up to 2 weeks needed off work). Our nurse and dietitian will help to support this process, offering advice and support.
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We are registered with, and rated by, the Care Quality Commission. The CQC registration ensures and displays our dedication to providing high standards of patient-focused care across our clinics in the UK.
