Considering Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery can be life-changing for people who need help to lose a large amount of weight — typically 100 pounds or more. It changes how your digestive system works and limits how much you can eat before you feel full.

“Gastric bypass is one of the most common weight loss surgery options for severe obesity,” said Gerald Cahill, MD, bariatric surgeon with Franciscan Health Dyer. “It can offer people the opportunity to accomplish what they could not do on their own.”

Key Takeaways: Gastric Bypass

• Gastric bypass can help people lose a significant amount of weight. It changes how the digestive system works and shrinks the stomach to the size of an egg.
• Long-term success depends on your commitment to good nutrition and regular physical activity.
• In addition to weight loss, some people see major improvements in their overall health and well-being after gastric bypass.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

The surgery, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, makes your stomach smaller — about the size of an egg. It reroutes your intestines and allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. It is different from gastric sleeve surgery, which only makes your stomach smaller.

With gastric bypass, you feel full more quickly because your stomach is a small pouch. This limits how much food you can eat. In addition, by bypassing most of the stomach, gastric bypass reduces levels of ghrelin — the hormone that drives appetite. This can help you feel less hungry and more satisfied with smaller meals.

At the same time, your body absorbs fewer calories because food bypasses part of the small intestine. These combined changes — smaller portions, reduced hunger and decreased calorie absorption — work together to support weight loss.

Research presented at the American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery (ASMBS) 2024 Annual Scientific Meeting found that after gastric bypass, many patients kept most of the weight off for up to 20 years, with type 2 diabetes remaining in remission for up to 15 years after surgery.

Who Is A Candidate For Gastric Bypass?

Gastric bypass surgery is typically recommended for people who have not been able to achieve lasting weight loss through diet and exercise alone.

Most candidates have:

• A body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher. Calculate your BMI here.
• Or a BMI of 35 or higher with serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea or heart disease

For people who have obesity and type 2 diabetes, weight loss (or bariatric) surgery leads to more than a slimmer figure. It also reduces the risk of heart complications and premature death by about 40 percent compared to standard medical care, according to research.

Gastric Bypass Vs. Gastric Sleeve: Which Is Right For You?

Gastric bypass and gastric sleeve surgeries are the most common weight loss surgeries. Both procedures can lead to significant weight loss, but they work in different ways.

Gastric bypass:

• Reduces stomach size
• Changes how your body absorbs calories, nutrients and medicines
• Often leads to greater long-term weight loss

Gastric sleeve:

• Reduces stomach size only
• Does not change calorie, nutrient and medicine absorption

Bypass surgery also increases alcohol absorption, so it’s not a good option for anyone who has an alcohol-use disorder or recently received treatment for such a disorder.

Your surgeon will help you understand which option best fits your health needs, lifestyle and long-term goals.

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure: What To Expect

Gastric bypass surgery typically takes a few hours and uses minimally invasive techniques.

Before surgery, you’ll go through a preparation process that may include:

• Medical evaluations, including blood tests
• Nutrition counseling
• Guidance on lifestyle changes

After surgery, your care team will guide you through each stage of recovery.

Benefits And Risks Of Gastric Bypass Surgery

Like any surgery, gastric bypass comes with both benefits and risks.

Benefits

• Reliable, long-term weight loss
• Improvement or remission of conditions like type 2 diabetes
• Reduced risk of heart disease and other complications
• Improvement in acid reflux and heartburn

Risks

• Bleeding or infection
• Gallstones due to rapid weight loss
• Vitamin and mineral deficiencies
• Small bowel complications or blockages
• Risk of ulcers, especially if you use tobacco or take certain medications
• “Dumping syndrome,” which can cause discomfort after you eat sugary foods

Your care team will help you understand these risks and how to manage them.

Recovery And Life After Gastric Bypass

In the weeks after surgery, your diet will gradually progress from liquids to soft foods and eventually to solid foods as your body adjusts. Long-term success comes from healthy habits that support your lasting weight loss and overall well-being.

“A large study found that gastric bypass patients lost about 25 percent of their starting weight over five years, compared with about 19 percent for sleeve gastrectomy patients,” Dr. Cahill said. “Some people with type 2 diabetes may see improvements in blood sugar levels even before they lose a significant amount of weight.”

For Danille Perez, gastric bypass surgery was life-changing. After her father died from obesity complications, she made a commitment to improve her health.

She lost 140 pounds after surgery and no longer needs blood pressure or blood sugar medications. Danille went from being the biggest friend in her social group to its most physically fit friend.

“I’m the one they call for advice on nutrition or how to get into running,” she said. “It’s amazing — I feel wonderful. I wake up in the morning and want to get up for the day, spend time with my kids, walk the dogs and go to the beach.”

Franciscan Health offers bariatric surgery services in Dyer, Indianapolis and Michigan City, Ind. View our locations.

Want to learn more? Explore bariatric services at Franciscan Health or request an appointment today to get started.