How is gastric bypass performed?
Your gastric bypass will be performed in a hospital using one of the following approaches:
Minimally invasive surgery involves inserting special instruments and a laparoscope through small incisions in the abdomen. The laparoscope is a long thin camera that sends pictures of the inside of your body to a video screen viewed by your surgeon during the surgery. Minimally invasive surgery generally involves a faster recovery and less pain than open surgery. This is because it causes less trauma to tissues and organs. Your surgeon will make small incisions instead of a larger one used in open surgery. Surgical tools are threaded around muscles, tissues, and organs instead of cutting through or displacing them as in open surgery.
Open surgery involves making a long incision in your abdomen. Open surgery allows your surgeon to view and access the surgical area directly. Open surgery generally involves a longer recovery and more pain than minimally invasive surgery. Open surgery requires a larger incision and more cutting and displacement of muscle and other tissues than minimally invasive surgery. Despite this, open surgery may be a safer or more effective method for some patients, such as those who are very obese or have adhesions (scarring from previous surgeries).
Minimally invasive techniques may be combined with an open surgery in some cases. Additionally, your surgeon may decide after beginning a minimally invasive technique that you need open surgery to complete your surgery safely.
Your surgeon will advise you on which procedure is best for you and how long you need to stay in the hospital based on your diagnosis, age, medical history, general health, and possibly your personal preference. Learn about the different gastric bypass surgeries and ask why your surgeon will use a particular type for you.
Types of anesthesia that may be used
General anesthesia is used for gastric bypass. General anesthesia is a combination of intravenous (IV) medications and gases that put you in a deep sleep. You are unaware of the procedure and do not feel pain.
What to expect the day of your gastric bypass
The day of your surgery, you can generally expect to:
Talk with a preoperative nurse. The nurse will perform an exam and ensure that all needed tests are in order. The nurse can also answer questions and will make sure you understand and sign the surgical consent form.
Remove all clothing and jewelry and dress in a hospital gown. It is a good idea to leave all jewelry and valuables at home or with a family member if possible. Your care team will give you blankets for modesty and warmth.
Talk with the anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist about your medical history and the type of anesthesia you will have.
A surgical team member will start an IV.
The anesthesiologist or nurse anesthetist will start your anesthesia.
A tube will be placed in your windpipe to protect and control breathing during general anesthesia. You will not feel or remember this or the surgery as they happen.
The surgical team will monitor your vital signs and other critical body functions. This occurs throughout surgery and recovery until you are alert, breathing effectively, and vital signs are stable.
© 2016
Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced
or reprinted without permission from Healthgrades Operating Company, Inc. Use
of this information is governed by the Healthgrades User Agreement.
Medical References
- Bariatric Surgery. The Journal of the American Medical Association. http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/303/6/576.full.pdf.
- Bariatric Surgery - Following Doctor's Orders Results In 35% More Weight Loss. Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/111681.php.
- Bariatric Surgery for Severe Obesity. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney diseases (NIDDK). http://win.niddk.nih.gov/publications/gastric.htm.
- Benefits of Bariatric Surgery. American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery. http://www.asmbs.org/Newsite07/patients/benefits.htm.
- Pile, JC. Evaluating postoperative fever: A focused approach. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine. 2006;73 (Suppl 1):S62. http://ccjm.org/content/73/Suppl_1/S62.full.pdf.
- Poirier P, et al. Bariatric Surgery and Cardiovascular Risk Factors: A Scientific Statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation. 2011; 123: 1683-1701. Weight Loss Surgery. DukeHealth.org. http://www.dukehealth.org/services/weight_loss_surgery/care_guides/bariatric_surgery_diet_manual/the....
