Volume of the stomach is reduced (approximately 30-40 cc), as a significant part of the stomach is bypassed; next, the stomach is re-connected to the small intestine. Since intestines are intervened, this method is quite successful also in treatment of Type 2 diabetes mellitus.

How long does it take?

Gastric bypass lasts 2 to 3 hours on average and it is performed laparoscopically.

Who are eligible for the surgery?

It is an option for patients with body mass index above 40 or obesity-related Type 2 diabetes mellitus; its efficiency is superior to sleeve gastrectomy.

Then sleeve gastrectomy or gastric bypass?

First, we need to evaluate the patients, for whom we planned surgery, very comprehensively. Body Mass Index (BMI) is among the parameters that we address initially. For patients with BMI and body weight above acceptable limits, we usually gastric bypass, as it enables more weight loss. However, body mass index alone is not definitive enough to decide the surgical technique. We adopt a holistic approach to evaluate patient along with the BMI. The parameters we address include eating habits, whether the patient is craving for sugar, chocolate and dessert and presence of any emotional eating disorder. After all these parameters are evaluated in combination, we also need to consider the metabolic diseases that occur secondary to overweight or obesity.

Metabolic disease may develop secondary to obesity. Major ones of metabolic diseases include diabetes mellitus, hypertension, fatty liver, dyslipidemia, joint problems, sleep apnea syndrome and fertility-related hormonal disorders. As we already mentioned, we need to reveal out severity of these diseases to make a preference between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass. Therefore, our patients undergo a detailed check-up 1 to 2 days before the surgery. After analysis results and eating habits are duly taken into consideration, we decide the surgical technique that ensures success, enables long-term and efficiency weight loss and offers highest success in treatment of obesity.

In conclusion, we decide the surgical technique based on obesity-related metabolic diseases and eating habits of the patient rather than the body mass index alone.


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