Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery (Gastric Bypass)
Mini gastric bypass surgery is an obesity surgery in which stomach shrinkage and intestinal absorption reduction are performed simultaneously. Surgery performed with the closed method brings a fast recovery process. It is an easier and shorter operation compared to gastric bypass (R-YGB) surgery. It is far beyond the expectations of fast, effective and painless surgery of patients struggling with obesity.
Mini gastric bypass surgery can be a solution to the problems of Type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia as well as helping to lose weight. These diseases accompanying obesity are controlled with mini gastric bypass surgery. The patient’s quality of life improves rapidly.
How is Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Performed?
In mini gastric surgery, the stomach is shrink and more fullness is tried to be obtained with less portions. In addition, a large part of the intestine is bypassed, aiming for less absorption of nutrients. The following procedures are performed during the operation;
- Closed surgery is performed through 4-6 holes with a diameter of 1 centimeter. Instruments called trocars are inserted through the drilled holes and a suitable condition for surgery is created.
- Surgery is performed carefully with the camera and other instruments placed in the abdomen. The thin and long structure of the camera and surgical instruments makes it possible to transmit the instruments called trocars to the relevant places.
- First of all, the stomach is divided into two. While a small stomach is created in the entrance part of the stomach, the remaining part is left non-functional. The food that the person eats will go directly to the intestines through this small stomach. With this approach, there is a great decrease in stomach volume.
- A large part of the stomach that is not used in food intake continues to remain in the abdomen. The unused stomach continues to produce secretions without interruption. A connection is created from the middle part of the small intestine with the small stomach formed. In this way, it is ensured that the absorption of nutrients is reduced by minimizing the travel on the intestine. With this process, the operation is completed.
How to Lose Weight with Mini Gastric Bypass?
After mini gastric bypass surgery, an important 2-year weight loss process begins. Weight loss happens very quickly during the first 3 months. Subsequently, the rate of weight loss decreases, but the effect continues for up to 2 years. At the end of 2 years, a weight loss of 40% – 50% is tried to be achieved.
With the mini gastric bypass surgery, weight loss is achieved with the following 3 effects;
- Shrinkage of stomach volume: With the mini gastric bypass surgery, the stomach is divided into two parts. The volume of the stomach used is greatly shrink. As a result, a person achieves high fullness in small portions.
- Reducing the absorption in the small intestine: After a large part of the small intestine (approximately 200 cm) is bypassing, its connection with the small stomach is established. Therefore, the travel of food in the intestine is reduced. As a result, there is a serious decrease in the absorption of nutrients. When the absorption decreases, the calories taken will also decrease automatically. This system, which supports creating a calorie deficit, makes it much easier to lose weight.
- Regulation of hormones: As the first stage of the operation, a large part of the stomach is removed from use. Although the large stomach section continues to remain under the abdomen, it is closed to the passage of nutrients with the bypass. In this section, which loses its effectiveness over time, hormone production will also decrease. With the decrease in hormone production, the feeling of fullness will occur much earlier and its effect will continue for a long time.
What are the Risks of Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery?
In the first part of the operation, the stomach is divided into two parts. Most of the stomach remains passively under the abdomen. The separated part of the stomach is not removed. In other obesity surgery operations, the volume of the stomach is shrink, while the cut part is taken out. In Mini Gastric Bypass surgery, no organs are taken out. This approach theoretically makes reversible surgery possible.
Various risks that patients who have mini gastric bypass surgery may face are listed below;
- Bile reflux: In order to minimize the risk, bile flow is prevented from entering the stomach. It is designed to proceed directly through the small intestine.
- Gastric ulcer: It is not a common condition. In addition, it is followed up with regular endoscopy.
- Dumping syndrome: After the surgery, excessive carbohydrate foods should be avoided.
The main risks after Mini Gastric Bypass surgery are;
- Osteoporosis
- Extreme weight loss
- Vomiting or nausea
- Deficiency in vitamin and mineral intake (decreased absorption due to bypass operation in the small intestine leads to this situation. Vitamin and mineral support is needed as a lifelong supplement.)
- With the bypass operation in the intestines, the intestinal journey becomes much shorter. This can cause diarrhea.
- Stone formation in the biliary tract and bladder
- Anastomotic leak or stricture
- Wound infections
It is a treatment method that has been successfully applied for many years and has a very important place in obesity surgery. As a result of the necessary examinations, it is determined whether the person is suitable for mini gastric bypass surgery and necessary actions are taken.
