In a gastric bypass, the digestive system is ‘re-plumbed’ so that the food bypasses much of the stomach and instead goes straight into the small intestine.
The surgeon will use surgical staples to create a small pouch at the top of the stomach. The rest of the stomach is untouched. When you eat, the food will go into this pouch. The surgeon will make an opening in the pouch for the small intestine to be attached, so food will travel from the pouch straight into the intestine before continuing its journey through the rest of the digestive tract. The food will no longer travel through the lower part of your stomach or the first part of your bowel.
A gastric bypass works by reducing the amount of food that you are physically able to consume. The operation also alters the hormone levels produced in the gut, making you feel less hungry. By altering these hormone levels, this can also help to improve Type 2 diabetes.
Because of the changes made to the body by gastric bypass surgery, you will need to take supplements for the rest of your life to ensure you get all the vitamins and minerals that you need to stay healthy. You may also need regular vitamin B12 injections and regular blood tests to check you’re getting all the nutrients you need.