Gastric Bypass (Malabsorptive) Surgery (Malabsorptive Procedure,
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, Duodenal Switch with Biliopancreatic
Diversion) What is gastric bypass surgery? Gastric bypass
surgery, a type of bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), is a
surgical procedure that alters the process of digestion.
Bariatric surgery is the only option today that effectively
treats morbid obesity in people for whom more conservative
measures such as diet, exercise, and medication have failed.
There are several types of gastric bypass procedures, but all of
them involve bypassing part of the stomach and small bowel by
greater or lesser degrees. For this reason, procedures of this
type are referred to as malabsorptive procedures, because they
involve bypassing a portion of the small intestine that absorbs
nutrients. These procedures also involve creating a small pouch
of the stomach that serves as the “new” stomach or surgically
removing part of the stomach. Gastrointestinal staples
facilitate these operations, but these