The gastric bypass surgery typically takes between 45 and 60 minutes and is done under general anesthesia. In terms of pre- and post-operative care, you’d stay in the hospital for about 4 nights and would be advised not to work for 2 to 3 weeks. The procedure is carried out laparoscopically, which is a minimally invasive technique. This means that several small incisions of about one centimeter each are made in the abdomen through which a camera and surgical instruments are inserted. Initially, a section of the stomach is stapled off. Minimally invasive technique and process The small intestine is then cut, and its lower end is attached to the remaining part of the stomach. The upper end of the intestine is connected to the third part of the small intestine, creating a Y-shape. The upper end of the small intestine is then stitched to the upper portion of the small intestine.