Gastric mini bypass surgery

There are several types of surgeries for obesity today –procedures also known as bariatric surgeries – and each of them offers a slightly different method to treat the disease. One of the surgeries that recently became popular is Gastric mini bypass surgery, which can be described as a surgery combining 2 methods from other surgeries: Gastric bypass surgery and sleeve gastrectomy. The surgery is performed via the minimally invasive method (laparoscopy) and is performed in many centers around the world. So far, over 20,000 successful procedures were performed with follow up data of 7-8 years after the surgery.

Gastric mini bypass surgery is considered in high demand today because it offers high efficacy and considerably smaller risk than regular Gastric bypass surgery, for example. Different studies even show that its results are better in many cases, especially when obesity is accompanied by other diseases like diabetes, apnea, hypertension and more. Either way, many surgeries of this type are performed today in Israel and around the world.

General information about Gastric mini bypass surgery

Gastric mini bypass surgery combines, as said, 2 methods: 1 – gastric bypass to a relatively ‘advanced’ part of the small intestine; 2 – cutting the stomach and reducing it to the size of an average cup. This way, the surgeon accomplishes 2 things: significantly reducing the volume of the stomach, so that feeling full when eating would come faster; significantly reduce the scope of food absorption in the body, by “skipping” significant parts of the digestion system that are normally in charge of absorbing fats and calories (as well as minerals, vitamins and more) in the body.

The result achieved by combining both these goals is a dramatic and quick weight loss. In overall and long-term observation, the weight should drop by about 60% following the action. This is a drastic drop, expected to cause a significant change in the patient’s life, but you should remember that a significant part of the process is taking various measures by the patient to increase the chances of the surgery’s success for many years.

Preparing for action

Before the surgery, you’ll be required to undergo some general tests to provide the doctors with information about your health condition: blood tests, hormone tests, stomach ultrasound, nutritional evaluation, stomach imaging, lungs function test and more. You might receive blood-thinning medications before the surgery, and even special boots to prevent blood clots in the legs. The surgery is of course done under general anesthesia, so you will have to fast before the surgery. Even before fasting, you’ll be asked to eat food that contains small amounts of cellulose.

Course of action

Gastric mini bypass surgery is performed, as mentioned, under complete anesthesia. Like all anti-obesity surgery, it will also be performed via the minimally invasive approach, usually, meaning, via 5 small incisions in the skin in various spots in the abdomen.

The surgery is divided into a few stages: the stomach would be split into 2 parts, large and small. The large part will remain attached to the duodenum (leading to the small intestine) but disconnected from the small part of the stomach, and in fact, it won’t receive food anymore. The small part – the stomach pocket or “pouch” as its often called – is the upper part of the original stomach and it will remain connected to the esophagus. The lower part will be connected to the small intestine in a relatively distant spot from the duodenum, about 2 meters from it, and the digested food will go there directly.

This way, the food ‘bypasses’ a very large part of the digestion system and ensuring smaller absorption of food in the body. Added to the small volume of the “new” stomach, the digestive system will act more efficiently to quickly reduce the excess weight.

It should be noted that Gastric mini bypass surgery is considered a safer surgery than Gastric bypass surgery since it includes only one anastomosis (between the small stomach pocket and the small intestine) versus 2 in stomach bypass – which reduces the risk of leaks and complications.

This surgery takes between 1.5 and 2 hours usually. Recovery isn’t considered prolonged, and usually after 2 weeks, you’ll be able to return to your routine.

side effects

Every bariatric surgery could cause various complications and side effects simply by being “interventional” in the digestive system’s structure. A leak at a certain point in the digestive system is a possible complication, as well as narrowing or occlusion in the intestines. Bleeding or infection in the digestive system are also possible, as well as a pulmonary embolism – but this is prevented in most cases with a simple action: quick return to mobility (even by switching from lying in bed to sitting in a chair) after the procedure.

Gastric mini bypass surgery can sometimes cause increased absorption, meaning a severe lack of vitamins and minerals, which can be treated with various food supplements or repeat surgery. Reflux and heartburn could also be caused by the surgery sometimes, and this case can also be treated by repeat surgery.