Mini Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgeries are among the most popular types of weight loss surgeries that are meant for reducing the body weight of extremely obese people. Mini gastric bypass surgery is a relatively new entrant and was developed by Dr. Robert Rutledge in 1997. This procedure is somewhat similar to the loop gastric bypass, that was discarded by doctors during the 1970s itself, due to the complications caused by that procedure. However, the newer version is a modified surgical procedure that is said to be comparatively safer than its earlier version.

Mini Gastric Bypass Procedure

In case of gastric bypass surgeries, the size of the stomach is reduced considerably, thereby cutting down the food intake of the person. Apart from that, the absorption of nutrients is also curtailed by bypassing the initial parts of the small intestine. Mini gastric bypass surgery too is based on this theory. Unlike the traditional gastric bypass surgery that involves severance of the small intestine, this new procedure creates a long pouch in the stomach through stapling and separates the remaining part of the stomach from the esophagus. This long pouch acts as the stomach and its end is connected to a particular site in the small intestine. This site is at a distance of around six feet from the duodenum.

A mini gastric bypass surgery results in bypassing a large portion of the stomach as well as small intestine. As the tube-like stomach holds less food, the person will consume less food, but he will feel full for a longer time. This reduces the food intake. As a major part of the small intestine is bypassed, the rate of absorption of nutrients too drops sharply. The person experiences weight loss, as a result of this surgery. Even though, this procedure has various benefits, it is not fully devoid of risks and complications.

Risks and Complications

As there is no severance of the small intestine, a mini gastric bypass surgery takes less time and requires a shorter hospital stay. Quick recovery is another positive aspect of this procedure. However, it may cause complications like bleeding, blood clots in lungs, infections, obstructions in the bowel, pneumonia, leakage, and in rare cases, even death is also reported. Complications like, dumping syndrome, which is a condition characterized by nausea and dizziness, may also be caused, due to the fast movement of the food from the stomach to the small intestine. With time, the person may also develop nutritional deficiencies and related symptoms. After undergoing this surgery, the patient has to stick to a gastric bypass diet, so as to ensure best results.

In short, mini gastric bypass surgery is a popular bariatric weight loss surgery. The cost of this procedure may vary from one place to another and as per the experience and qualification of the surgeon. Even the extent of the surgery counts in fixing the cost. This procedure is found to be beneficial in many people, but resort to a weight loss surgery, only if all other methods (like diet control and exercise) fail to provide results. You must have complete knowledge of the possible complications and risks, before the surgery. Once you decide to undergo such a surgery, approach a surgeon, who is an expert in bariatric surgeries.