“Gastric surgery is a surgical procedure aimed at reducing the feeling of hunger by shrinking the size of the stomach, thereby supporting weight loss. If you suffer from severe obesity and type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise do not work for you, but you value your health and want to achieve your desired appearance, this procedure is recommended as one of the most popular methods of bariatric surgery.

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is one of the most commonly preferred methods in obesity surgery. The aim of the operation is to reduce the volume of the stomach to enable the patient to feel full with smaller portions. In addition to reducing the volume of the stomach, a portion of the small intestine is also bypassed to reduce nutrient absorption, leading the patient to consume fewer calories.

How Is Gastric Surgery Performed?

Gastric bypass surgery is performed under general anesthesia. It is important to know that there are several types of gastric operations. Gastric bypass can be performed in various ways.

The most common operation is laparoscopic gastric bypass, also known as RY-BG (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass), which is a closed method. The surgeon makes 4-6 incisions in the patient’s abdomen and performs the operation by inserting laparoscopic instruments, including the laparoscopic camera.

Another closed method is robot-assisted gastric bypass surgery, which is also performed with small incisions. In this method, the surgeon conducts the operation from the robotic surgical console. For an open gastric bypass operation, a large incision must be made in the patient’s abdomen.

Who Can Undergo Gastric Surgery?

The most preferred method of bariatric surgery is gastric bypass surgery when diets and exercise no longer work, and severe health problems arise due to weight. With this operation, the volume of the stomach is reduced, and nutrient absorption is reduced by shortening the path in the small intestine. In this way, patients who have undergone surgery feel full faster due to their smaller stomachs and consume fewer nutrients because absorption in the intestine decreases.

The suitability of the patient for gastric reduction is assessed based on the body mass index (BMI). Patients with morbid obesity and a BMI of 40 and above can benefit from gastric bypass surgery. Also, patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 who suffer from obesity-associated type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea can undergo this operation. However, it is important to know that gastric bypass surgery is not suitable for all overweight patients. A thorough evaluation should be done before the surgery.

What Should Be Considered After Gastric Bypass Surgery?

After gastric bypass surgery, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for 3-4 days. It is important to avoid heavy physical activities for 4-6 weeks after hospital discharge. After the operation, it is important to only consume liquids for a certain period. The transition to solid food occurs upon the recommendation of the surgeon. During recovery, the dietary recommendations of the physician and nutritionist must be followed.

In the first few months after gastric surgery, weight loss is very rapid. However, it may take 1.5-2 years to achieve maximum weight loss. About 70-80% of excess weight is lost during this time. After gastric bypass surgery, patients must completely change their dietary habits. It is recommended to eat only 2-3 meals a day, avoid snacks between meals, and engage in regular exercise to lose weight and not regain lost weight.”