Gastric Bypass Surgery
The Roux-en-Y or Double Join Gastric Bypass Surgery is a gold standard operation if you have Type 2 Diabetes or have significant gastric reflux (heartburn).
Gastric Bypass Surgery in Melbourne
Also known as Bypass, Roux-En Y Gastric Bypass and Gastric Weight Loss Surgery.
You want to eat less to lose weight. After gastric bypass surgery, your stomach will hold less food. You’ll therefore eat less and your body cannot absorb ALL of the calories that you consume. This results in weight loss but ask Dr Arun and the team at Centre for Weight Loss Melbourne about what the best weight loss surgery options are for you.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
RYGBP refers to Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery which is a Weight Loss Surgery option for selected patients. This surgery for weight loss involves a number of irreversible operative features.
Gastric bypass surgery helps patients to achieve weight loss by (a) decreasing the volume that the stomach can hold, while leaving the ‘extra’ stomach in place and (b) diverting food away from the part of the bowel that absorbs fat.
Dr. Arun Dhir
MS FRCS (Edinburgh UK) FRACS
How Does It Help You Lose Weight?
By decreasing food intake (volume) and reducing the ability of the body to absorb calories, a gastric bypass surgery will help patients achieve significant weight loss. It can usually help conscientious patients suffering severe obesity to attain a decrease of up to 85% of their excess weight.
However, this gastric bypass procedure does include some aspects that may be considered complications. Problems with this surgery include syndromes such as “dumping,” malabsorption of nutrients and sometimes an excessive amount of weight loss.
Also, this surgery appears to have a relatively high complication rate of approximately 5%.
Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Really Work?
Between 200 and 300 gastric bypass surgery are performed per year around Australia. The majority of gastric surgery patients are able to achieve around an 85% loss of their excess body weight.
The Gastric Bypass procedure is also typically a preferred treatment option, when Revision Weight Loss Surgery is required, e.g. when the Gastric Band or Gastric Sleeve operation failed to result in adequate weight loss for the patient.
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Gastric Bypass Surgery Overview
Five small (5 to 15mm) incisions are made in the wall of the abdomen and long thin instruments introduced through them including a camera. The inside of the abdomen can then be visualised and manipulated. A small amount of the stomach is separated off using a surgical stapler, creating a short, pocket shaped, pouch like stomach. The remaining stomach is left in place. The bowel is then divided and rejoined in such a way so as to divert food from the stomach to a part of the bowel that is further along the digestive tract; it’s an area of the bowel that is not efficient at absorbing fat and sugars. There are numerous surgical joins required during Gastric Bypass surgery. This operation should be considered irreversible.
How Long Does Gastric Bypass Surgery Take?
The operation typically takes from 90 to 120 minutes, depending on the patient and other factors. It usually requires four (4) nights stay in hospital after surgery and two weeks of convalescence (initial healing and recovery). The incisions allow the insertion of a camera, a liver retractor and instruments to grasp structures, cut and staple. Sometimes surgical incision lines become infected in some patients. The incision area most likely to become infected is the left lower incision. Always follow your post-surgery instructions carefully and contact your Weight Loss Surgery specialist immediately with any post-surgery concerns.
Maximum Weight Loss after Gastric Weight loss Surgery
Although there are operations that can achieve even greater weight loss, these other operations are seldom performed in Melbourne with excessive weight loss or malnutrition for some patients. For select patients, the gastric bypass procedure is considered the operation for the largest amount of weight loss.
Other Surgical Options for Weight Loss: Beyond Gastric Bypass
Gastric Bypass surgery is very effective. However, it is important to consider the other options, namely Gastric Band and Sleeve Gastrectomy.
To discuss weight loss surgery including Roux-en-Y surgery with Mr. Arun Dhir, please ask your GP for a referral to Dr Arun Dhir at Melbourne Gastro Surgery for a consultation about your suitability for these types of Bariatric operations.
Risks of Gastric Bypass Surgery
Dumping And Malabsorption
These are unpleasant experiences caused by food leaving the stomach being diverted to a new part of the bowel. After gastric bypass weight loss procedure, if you eat large amounts of sugar or fat, you can end up with sweatiness, faintness, bloating and diarrhoea. To avoid these uncomfortable scenarios, you’ll need to eat smaller meals with a variety of foods. Ask us about our e-book about nutrition and the best diet plans after weight loss surgery.
Excessive Weight Loss And Malnutrition
These can sometimes occur, especially if patients are not suitably monitored. Regular review by your Specialist Bariatric Surgeon and Weight Loss Surgery team and blood tests are required. The most common nutritional problems relate to Vitamins and Iron uptake, but there are also others we will want to monitor for you after weight loss surgery.
Only very rarely is modification surgery required to prevent further weight loss.
What are the specific advantages of gastric bypass surgery?
There are many advantages of gastric bypass surgery most of which are focusing around patient care, safety, comfort and cost savings.
Safety
For most average risk patients, studies indicate that gastric bypass surgery can be performed with a very high level of safety.
Reduced risk of infections
Shorter hospital stays reduce their risk of catching hospital acquired infections.
Personalised service
A personalised approach to your care and recovery can be tailored based on your progress after surgery.
Cost savings
The gastric bypass surgery offers a win-win situation for the hospital and the patients. Due to the specific technique developed by Dr Arun, the hospitals can benefit from reduced use of disposable items used during surgery. The reduction of material and human resources provides benefits for the patients by way of cost savings.
Streamlined care
Gastric bypass surgery offers protocol-driven nursing care which makes patient care more streamlined and efficient. This definitely ensures efficient and consistent patient support.
Ability to recover in your home setting
Early discharge allows patients to recover in their home setting which is more comfortable for most individuals along with access to remote support.
Are you curious to know about Gastric Bypass?
Start your weight loss transformation with our Gastric bypass in Melbourne today! Book your FREE 15-minute consult with our Patient Advisor.
Gastric Bypass Surgery FAQ's
Gastric bypass surgery in Melbourne, particularly the Roux-en-Y method, reduces the stomach size and reroutes digestion to limit calorie absorption. Unlike gastric banding or sleeve gastrectomy, it also alters gut hormone response and is especially effective for patients with type 2 diabetes or severe reflux.
The cost of gastric bypass surgery in Melbourne will vary depending on the clinic, surgeon, and health coverage. Book a consultation at the Centre for Weight Loss to get a detailed quote based on your individual treatment plan.Lack of exercise, poorly balanced meals, constant grazing, eating processed carbohydrates and drinking sweet drinks (Sodas and shakes) are some of the most common preventable causes of failure to achieve adequate weight loss and maintain it.
Yes, gastric bypass surgery is highly suitable for patients with severe obesity, especially when other procedures like gastric band or sleeve gastrectomy have not been effective. It’s often chosen for its strong weight loss outcomes and improvement in related conditions like diabetes
Long-term benefits of gastric bypass surgery in Melbourne include significant weight loss (up to 85% of excess weight), improved type 2 diabetes management, reduced acid reflux, better quality of life, and potentially longer life expectancy. Regular follow-ups ensure optimal results and help manage any nutritional deficiencies.
Weight Loss Surgery Options
Gastric Bypass
Your stomach will hold less food. You’ll eat less and your body cannot absorb ALL the calories you
Mini Gastric Bypass
Restricts the amount of food that can be eaten and alters the gut hormones involved in appetite control.
Gastric Sleeve
Gastric Sleeve Surgery will work to help you feel satisfied with less food and help you lose weight.
Gastric/Lap Banding
Restricts and controls portion size while having a profound effect on reducing hunger.
Real Patients achieving more than weight loos success
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