Gastric bypass is a preferred type of bariatric surgery. During the procedure, the bariatric surgeon will alter the patient’s stomach and upper small intestine to promote excess weight loss. Gastric bypass surgery is both restrictive and malabsorptive and is an ideal surgery for individuals who have been unable to lose weight by way of a healthy diet and exercise.
Do you think gastric bypass surgery sounds like it’d be right for you? Dr. Long, a bariatric surgeon at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, can assist! Dr. Long has been performing bariatric surgery for over 19 years, opened his practice in 2006, and now performs gastric bypass surgery at a specialized facility two hours from Chattanooga, Tennessee.
To learn more about Dr. Long, Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, and our gastric bypass procedure, call (205) 850-1973.
Gastric Bypass Surgery
Bariatric surgeons can perform gastric bypass surgery in two ways: openly or laparoscopically. Most surgeons, including Dr. Long, prefer laparoscopic surgery because it is minimally invasive. With this technique, patients experience less scarring, pain, and recovery times.
The Procedure
Gastric bypass is a one-to-two-hour procedure. When you chose Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, we start by administering a general anesthetic to the patient. Then, Dr. Long makes several small incisions to the abdomen. Through these incisions and with a laparoscope, he removes a large portion of the patient’s stomach and staples the remainder closed to create a small pouch. Next, he separates the lower small intestine from the intestine’s first and second segments and attaches it to the small stomach pouch. Lastly, Dr. Long will check the stomach and intestine connection for leaks.
The Recovery
Post-procedure, patients must stay at the hospital for one or two days to recover. The Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery team provides patients with pain medication, pain management techniques, and a specialized diet plan to follow.
Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Gastric bypass surgery has the longest history in the United States of any bariatric procedure.
- Gastric bypass surgery can significantly improve and sometimes cure patients’ sleep apnea, high blood pressure, and diabetes.
- Patients can expect rapid weight loss in the first eight months post-procedure. The average patient reportedly loses 66 percent of their excess weight.
- Gastric bypass surgery is a great solution to long-term weight loss, with most patients losing 70% of their excess weight and having kept it off ten years post-operation.
Drawbacks of Gastric Bypass Surgery
- Recovery from gastric bypass surgery is longer and more painful than other bariatric procedures. Additionally, patients are required to recover at a hospital temporarily.
- Gastric bypass surgery is considered reversible, but only when medically necessary.
- Patients must take supplements for the rest of their lives to account for the malabsorption of nutrients.
- The connection between the stomach and the lower small intestine may begin to leak over time.
- Some patients may experience weight regain of about 10-20% at the two-year post-surgery mark.
Schedule a Consultation With a Certified Bariatric Surgeon Near Chattanooga, TN
The Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery facility is located two hours from Chattanooga, Tennessee. Which, is a fair distance to drive to one of the area’s top bariatric surgeons.
Dr. Jay C. Long is an American Board of Surgery-certified general and bariatric surgeon. He specializes in minimally invasive procedures and has been performing gastric bypass surgeries since 2002. In that time, he has helped thousands of individuals achieve outstanding results.
If you would like to schedule a one-on-one consultation with our bariatric surgeon, you can make an appointment online or call our office at (205) 850-1973. Learn how gastric bypass surgery can benefit you!
