The gastric bypass can help you lose up to 70% of excess weight. In patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux, it also serves as an anti-reflux operation and can help treat this condition while facilitating rapid weight loss. Like the sleeve gastrectomy, the gastric bypass has the advantage of treating other conditions related to obesity including high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes, and sleep apnea.

Surgical complications are infrequent but can happen. If something does happen your surgical team will use their expertise and knowledge to solve the problem quickly.

Some potential risks include infection, bleeding or leak at suture/staples, ulceration at the pouch-small intestine connection, internal hernias, vitamin or mineral deficiencies, dehydration, blood clots, death.

With any surgical procedure there are potential side effects. For bariatric surgery, some side effects can be, nausea, vomiting, gas or bloating, lactose intolerance, temporary hair thinning, depression, and change in bowel habits.

A few steps need to be taken before you can have a gastric bypass at North Memorial Hospital, and some of these steps will vary depending on your insurance. Some requirements may include lab work, meeting with a specialized bariatric nurse, psychological evaluation, health maintenance exams, sleep studies, and a preoperative endoscopy. Since the preoperative requirements can be different for each patient, we encourage you to schedule an initial consultation with us so we can review these with you.

The first few days you will experience pain where the incision sites are. Some patients experience neck and shoulder pain after laparoscopic surgery as well. Tell your nurses or physician if you are experiencing pain. Keep ahead of the pain, do not wait till the pain is at its worst to start taking the medications prescribed by your surgeon.

After your surgery, you will spend one night in the hospital. Most patients will go home the day after surgery. Getting up and walking around can help speed up your recovery and reduce complications. Changing positions in bed, walking, and prescribed exercise helps maintain good blood flow which reduces the risk of blood clots. Walking also helps reduce abdominal pain after laparoscopic surgery.

Bariatric surgery is a lifelong commitment and patients must commit to taking vitamins, healthy eating, office checkups, and exercise. Patients who commit to eating healthy, taking their vitamins and exercise will increase their potential for long lasting results.