The Roux en Y Gastric Bypass usually allows a wide ranging diet. Meal size is reduced to approximately a cup or entrée size.

Gastric bypass tends to have the highest resolution of T2DM, hypertension and sleep apnoea.

Gastric bypass surgery can be more successful than other forms of weight loss surgery in patients who tend to gravitate towards high sugary foods. These can promote dumping syndrome if eaten in significant quantities and have unpleasant side effects of low blood sugar and feeling faint. This can often help patients avoid these types of foods post operatively and achieve a better weight loss e.g. two squares of chocolate should cause no problems but a whole block will give unpleasant side effects.

Gastric bypass surgery has been associated with higher, long term weight loss and a slightly lower weight regain than the sleeve gastrectomy.

The thing to remember is that because you will be eating less and/or your body will be absorbing less, it is important to focus on good quality nutritious meals to ensure your body gets all the nutrients it needs.

Regular follow up with your dietitian along with annual vitamin level checks can assist with this. Any patient undergoing Roux en Y Gastric Bypass surgery should have at least one multivitamin daily and as well as other supplements prescribed by your dietitian, GP or bariatric GP. At least annual pathology testing of vitamin levels will be required. The chance of long term nutritional problems is reduced from 5% to 1% by taking the prescribed multivitamins. There is a slightly higher risk for the need for vitamin or iron injections in the long term than a sleeve gastrectomy.

As with all surgery there are risks associated with a gastric bypass. Listed below are the most common risks as general information, please as Dr Blair Bowden at the time of your consultation about these risks if you have any particular concerns.

Bleeding – Bleeding can occur in roughly 1 in 400 patients. Post-operative bleeding is rare and may require blood transfusion and occasional re-operation.

Leaks at the staple line – This is the most serious complication of gastric bypass. It occurs in roughly 1 in 100 patients. If this complication occurs the length of stay in hospital can be extended to weeks or potentially months after surgery. This can be a life-threatening problem, the main days of concern are within the first two weeks of surgery, however it can occur up to a month post operatively. This is why we ask patients to have a liquid diet for the first two weeks following surgery to try to minimize this risk. Treatment following a leak may include but not limited to further surgery, endoscopic treatment, antibiotics and prolonged hospitalization and rehabilitation.

Infection – This may require treatment with antibiotics and occasionally re-operation.

Wound issues – People with a higher weight are at a higher risk of complications involving wound infections, haematomas (large bruises) and poor wound healing.

Damage to organs – Any keyhole procedure can be complicated by unintentional injury to the organs near the area of operation. This may require a repeat operation to repair the damaged organs. The risks associated are at about 1 in 3000.

Blood clots – Deep Venous Thrombosis (clots in the veins) and pulmonary embolus (clots in the lungs). Please inform the clinic if you have history or family history of DVT or PE. Patients will be asked to sit out of bed and walk on the day of surgery to reduce these risks.

Pneumonia/chest infection – With any surgery it is important to walk and mobilize to expand your lungs post operatively to avoid these complications.

With successful weight loss there can be development of gallstones in 20% of patients. If the gallstones cause pain the patient may require a further operation to remove the gallbladder.

The gastric bypass procedure is potentially reversible; this is major gastrointestinal surgery and most patients will experience substantial weight regain and therefore not advised.

Inadequate weight loss or weight regain can happen in approximately 20% of patients and is usually associated with a higher than ideal intake of soft, high calorie foods. It is important to eat a healthy diet long term and avoid snacking.