Roughly 1.2 million Albertans are currently struggling with obesity, and the number of bariatric surgeries is increasing every year. When it comes to weight management and weight-related health problems, understanding your options while managing expectations can be overwhelming. Before having surgery, many people want to know what will happen to them and what kind of results they can expect. Getting all the facts is essential when trying to make a decision that is right for you. Our mission at Vital Bariatrics is to help patients define their weight loss goals, learn about their options, and help them make a long-term plan that offers sustainable long-term results.

What is gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y (roo-en-why) gastric bypass, is a type of weight loss surgery that helps you lose weight by changing how your stomach and small intestine handle the food you consume. This procedure divides your stomach into two parts. A small surgically created stomach pouch will receive the food you eat, while the remaining stomach gets smaller over time since it is no longer getting stretched with food and drink. This remaining segment of your stomach serves an essential purpose in producing stomach acid and enzymes that help digest your food.

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is considered to be the gold standard in bariatric surgery. It is one of the most widely performed weight loss surgeries worldwide. Patients undergoing Roux-en-Y gastric bypass are known to have the best weight loss results. An average, or typical, result from a gastric bypass is a 30% reduction in body weight in the first year after surgery. Put another way, it tends to get the patient 2/3rds of the way to their ideal body weight. This is very similar to a sleeve gastrectomy, but a roux-en-Y gastric bypass also has a more profound impact on metabolic health problems associated with obesity like diabetes.

What happens during the procedure?

The surgery is performed through five small half-inch incisions (laparoscopic surgery). Laparoscopic surgical instruments, including a small camera, are placed through tubes inside these incisions called ports. During the operation, a small stomach pouch is created out of the top of the stomach, restricting the amount of food able to be ingested. The small bowel is then joined to the stomach pouch, bypassing the remaining stomach and a portion of the small intestine, thereby decreasing the amount of calories absorbed from the ingested food.

What is the difference between sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass?

Gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy (also known as gastric sleeve) are similar procedures that can both be appropriate options for long-term weight loss. Both surgeries involve reshaping the stomach to hold less food. Gastric bypass is a more complex surgery because it rearranges part of the digestive tract. Both procedures are often done laparoscopically. Deciding on the right procedure requires a thorough discussion between you and your bariatric team. At Vital Bariatrics, all our patients start with a comprehensive evaluation of their personal history, conditions, needs, and goals and make this decision collaboratively with the surgical team .

Who is a good candidate for gastric bypass?

Good candidates for laparoscopic gastric bypass are those who are motivated, educated, and ready to undergo surgery. This means they are willing and able to participate in their own health, have no unmanaged mental health diagnoses, and have no active eating disorders. Good candidates are typically between the ages of 18-65, are non-smokers with a BMI above 35, and have no severe illnesses.

In contrast to sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass should be more strongly considered for patients who suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), diabetes, polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), fatty liver disease, and other metabolic syndromes.

How safe is gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery has been in practice for more than 30 years and is one of Canada’s most commonly performed weight loss surgeries. With over 1 million bariatric surgeries performed to date in North America alone, the risks and benefits are very well known. While this type of bariatric surgery has extraordinary benefits, all surgeries, whether elective or necessary, carry a certain degree of risk.

Technological advancements in surgical staplers, energy devices, and laparoscopic equipment have elevated surgical programs to a higher level of safety, including excellent patient outcomes. This method has many benefits, such as a shortened hospital stay, reduced pain and discomfort, shorter recovery time, less scarring, and minimal risk of incisional hernia. It must be emphasized, however, that although surgery has extraordinary benefits, it must be done by the right team, in the right way, for the right patient to see those benefits.

What are the risks of gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is a relatively safe procedure, and the risk of a major complication is much lower than the risk of developing serious obesity-related health complications. Surgical risks must be respected but also considered in the context of the disease we are treating. Long term studies show that patients who have had bariatric surgery tend to live 5-9 years longer than similar patients that didn’t have the surgery. This is largely due to the reductions in heart attack, stroke, and cancer deaths after bariatric surgery. As important as it is to respect the risks of surgery, it is just as important to remember that those risks are greatly exceeded by the risks of maintaining an unhealthy weight.

The greatest risks of gastric bypass come from not following the recommended diet properly. You could have complications if you overeat or eat food you shouldn’t.

Possible complications after bariatric surgery include:

Dumping syndrome
Dehydration
Constipation
Blocked opening of your stomach pouch
Infection of the incision
Postoperative pain
Pneumonia
Gallstones
Vitamin and nutritional deficiencies
Increased sensitivity to alcohol
Stomach ulcers
Bowel obstruction
Stomach perforation
Loose skin

What is the recovery like after a gastric bypass?

After gastric bypass surgery, patients typically spend 1-3 days recovering in the surgical facility. You can also expect to spend a few weeks recovering at home before you feel ready to go back to work. You may need to avoid strenuous activity for up to six weeks post-surgery, and it may also take up to twelve weeks to resume a normal diet. Your surgical team will talk to you about wound care, safe pain medicines, and when you can resume physical activity.

The first year after surgery is full of changes. Your body will be experiencing huge shifts during this time. It is common to experience many different emotions after having bariatric surgery. You may initially feel happy as you begin to lose weight rapidly, but you may also feel overwhelmed or even frustrated by the changes you must make to your diet, activity, and lifestyle. It is important that patients have access to a dedicated support team to avoid complications in the early phases. While the recovery process for each patient is unique, the team at Vital Bariatrics is here to support post-op patients as they navigate each stage of their recovery.

Be sure to attend all your post-op appointments and call your doctor or nurse if you are experiencing problems.

What kind of diet will I need to eat after gastric bypass surgery?

A gastric bypass diet typically follows a staged approach to help you ease back into eating solid foods. Everyone starts on a fluid diet after surgery for two weeks while the staple lines are healing. This is followed by soft solids and then a gradual progression in textures back to a full diet. How quickly you move from one step to the next depends on how fast your body heals and adjusts to the change in eating patterns. Typically by three months, most people are eating the vast majority of a regular diet, although there may be one or two foods that they find difficult due to texture.

Important dietary guidelines that you will likely need to follow after your gastric bypass surgery include:

Eating and drinking slowly
Keeping meals small
Drinking liquids between meals to avoid dehydration
Sipping fluids rather than drinking quickly
Chewing food thoroughly
Not eating food when you’re full
Eating lean, protein-rich foods daily
Avoiding food and drink that is high in fat and sugar
Taking the recommended vitamins and supplements
Avoiding food that’s difficult to digest, such as tough meat and bread
Avoid alcohol and carbonated beverages, and limit caffeine

It’s important not to overeat after bariatric surgery because your pouch can stretch enough for you to regain the weight you lost.

How much weight can I lose with gastric bypass surgery?

Weight loss post-surgery is often dramatic. On average, most patients lose 30% of their preoperative weight in the first year after surgery.

While gastric bypass surgery can be truly transformational for patients, it is important to consider surgery as a weight loss tool rather than an instant fix. During your initial consultation, our team will help you calculate the typical projected weight loss you can expect for your exact circumstances.

Can you reverse gastric bypass?

Yes, gastric bypass is technically a reversible procedure. However, its reversal would require an operation of the same or greater magnitude and risk as the original procedure and the tissues would still have scarring. It is important to enter into bariatric surgery considering it to be a lifelong, non-reversible change.

How much does a gastric bypass cost in Alberta?

The cost of bariatric bypass can vary based on individual needs and circumstances. To get a personalized estimate and learn more about our services, please book a consultation with our specialists

In order for your surgery to be covered by your insurance or Alberta Health Services, you may be subjected to lengthy and frustrating wait times. Fortunately, private bariatric surgery is an option for all Albertans, but the surgery must be performed outside of your home province. Currently, we escort our surgical patients to Westmount Square Surgical Centre in Montreal. We strive to provide a timely and high quality option for private care. Our team has done our utmost to make our program accessible without compromising safety or quality at any point along the way.

Can I finance gastric bypass surgery?

We offer financing for all our treatment options via Medicard. You can learn more about your financing options for gastric bypass here, or get in touch with us with any questions.

Does gastric bypass work? Am I guaranteed to lose weight with this surgery?

This surgery changes your food tolerances and capacity and will lead to metabolic and behavioural changes, but only if you listen to your new anatomy, not your old habits. The surgery does not fix you. You must consciously and mindfully choose to live a healthier life with healthier eating habits that will lead to improved health overall. This does not happen automatically. You can choose not to change your relationship with food, and you can ‘out eat’ any surgery. The moment the last instrument is removed and the last stitch is placed, you become responsible for your body’s upkeep and maintenance. But with Vital Bariatrics, you won’t be on your own—we’re always by your side to help you make these long-term changes.

Bariatric surgery is a life-changing procedure that can significantly improve your health and quality of life. You deserve quality care without the wait. We’re here to support you with compassionate and effective care that promotes long-term results. If you’re ready to take the next step and are interested in learning more, contact us today.

FAQs: Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass