Gastric Bypass: Proven Effective for Weight Loss Since the 1960s

The surgery involves the application of a surgical stapling device that divides the upper stomach to create a tiny stomach pouch at the upper end. This pouch is shaped to be about the size of a thumb, and will hold 15 ml or less – this is smaller than the yolk of an egg. The pouch can only hold two or three tiny bites of food, so that patients become full very easily. This restriction on the amount of food is the most important factor in helping gastric bypass patients lose weight. One outstanding feature of the tiny stomach pouch is that it helps patients feel genuinely satisfied with small amounts of food. Surgeons know that if patients feel deprived because of the small meal volume then satisfaction with the gastric bypass will be poor.

Gastric bypass surgery also involves attachment of the newly-created stomach pouch to a segment of small intestine (the Roux limb) which is brought up from the mid-abdomen. A key feature of this portion of small intestine (technically called “jejunum”) is that it cannot handle concentrated sweets or starches; therefore, if a patient consumes foods which contain sugar or carbohydrates, then this segment of intestine reacts by creating a temporary illness called “dumping syndrome.” Since dumping syndrome makes a patient feel physically ill as a result of sugar intake, most patients find it easy to stick with healthy foods such as proteins and vegetables – a sort of informal “gastric bypass diet.”

Dumping syndrome is likely to be induced by the intake of simple carbohydrates, such as sugar and some starches. The syndrome is characterized by palpitations (fast heart rate), a clammy feeling, queasiness and nausea – and sometimes vomiting or diarrhea. Usually the patient feels weak and must lie down for an hour or so. Dumping syndrome is not dangerous, but it feels awful. All bariatric surgical patients are strongly advised to avoid sugary junk food, sugar and other carbohydrates. Experiencing the strong negative effects of dumping syndrome can serve as a useful deterrent to keep patients away from these types of foods by adopting a more stomach-friendly “gastric bypass diet.”

It should be noted that some patients who undergo gastric bypass may require other procedures at the time of operation.