In this section, we explain what gastric bypass surgeons usually do during the procedure. While there are some variants depending on each patient’s needs, many gastric bypass surgeries are performed in the same way. The patient undergoes general anesthesia prior to surgery. This way, they do not experience pain or discomfort, as they are asleep. During the first portion of the procedure, the surgeon works on making your stomach smaller. Your stomach is divided into two parts, one smaller and one larger. The smaller upper part forms the pouch, which is where your food goes when you eat. Due to the pouch’s very small size, you feel fuller much faster. This causes you to lose weight from not eating as much. During the second portion of the procedure, the surgeon arranges the bypass. A part of your small intestine is connected to a hole in the pouch. The food you eat then travels from the pouch into the small intestine. This way, your body absorbs fewer calories than before. Gastric bypass surgery is usually performed in one of two ways. The first option involves open surgery. A surgeon makes a large incision to open up your belly, then performs the bypass. The second option involves a laparoscopic method. A tiny camera (laparoscope) is placed into the belly in order for the surgeon to view the internal organs for the bypass. Both surgical options occur in a hospital, and last anywhere from 2 to 4 hours. The laparoscopic method has distinct advantages over the open surgery method. These advantages include shorter hospital stays, faster recovery, less pain, smaller scars, and lower risk of infection.