Mini Gastric Bypass
A mini gastric bypass is a surgical procedure to treat obesity that involves reducing the size of your stomach to facilitate early satiety and bypassing a section of your intestine to limit food absorption. As with the sleeve procedure, a reduction in size of the stomach restricts the amount of food intake and appetite.
It is a safe surgery that has been performed for more than 20 years and its long-term results are known. Weight loss and diabetes remission rates are quite good. The fact that it is a single anastomosis increases its reliability. The stomach is turned into a closed tube as the continuation of the esophagus, and the remaining stomach is left in the abdomen. A new pathway is created between the small intestine and the newly formed gastric pouch. The contact of food with the first 150-200 cm of the small intestine is prevented. This situation creates a controlled absorption disorder and provides weight loss; On the other hand, diabetes is controlled by hormonal changes. It is preferred in patients with metabolic problems. Since it is an absorbable operation, vitamin-mineral support may be required in the postoperative period. The disadvantage is that the remaining stomach cannot be reached endoscopically.
The procedure itself takes about two hours. It is performed laparoscopically, so it requires only small incisions. Gastric sleeve patients typically remain in the hospital an average of one to two days.
The primary benefits of mini gastric bypass are that they offer results comparable to a traditional gastric bypass through a shorter and less invasive surgical procedure. That typically means an easier recovery process with less chance of complications.
You will be on a liquid or pureed food diet for 2 or 3 weeks after surgery. You will slowly add soft foods and then regular foods to your diet. You will likely be eating regular foods by 6 weeks.
At first, you will feel full very quickly, often after just a few bites of solid food. The reason is that your new stomach pouch or gastric sleeve will hold only a small amount of food soon after surgery. Even when your pouch or sleeve is larger, it may not hold more than about 1 cup (240 milliliters) of chewed food. A normal stomach can hold up to 4 cups (1 liter) of chewed food.
Once you are eating solid food, each bite must be chewed very slowly and completely, up to 20 or 30 times. Food must be a smooth or puréed texture before swallowing.
- ♦Each meal will take at least 30 minutes.
- ♦You will need to eat 6 small meals throughout the day instead of 3 big meals.
- ♦You will need to avoid snacking between meals.
- ♦Some foods may cause some pain or discomfort when you eat them if they are not chewed well. These include pasta, rice, bread, raw vegetables, or meats, and any dry, sticky, or stringy foods.
You will need to drink up to 8 glasses of water or other liquids that do not have calories every day.
- ♦Avoid drinking anything while you are eating, and for 60 minutes before or after you eat. Having liquid in your pouch will wash food out of your pouch and make you hungrier.
- ♦Like with food, you will need to take small sips and not gulp.
Weight-loss surgery can help train you to eat less. But surgery is only a tool. You still have to make the right food choices.
After surgery, your doctor, nurse, or dietitian will teach you about foods you can eat and foods to avoid. It is very important to follow your diet. Eating mostly protein, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains will still be the best way to lose weight and keep it off.
You will still need to stop eating when you are satisfied. Eating until you feel full all the time may stretch out your pouch and reduce the amount of weight you lose.You will still need to avoid foods that are high in calories. Your doctor or dietitian will likely tell you:
- ♦Do not eat foods that contain a lot of fats, sugar, or carbohydrates.
- ♦Do not drink fluids that have a lot of calories or that contain sugar, fructose, or corn syrup.
- ♦Do not drink carbonated drinks (drinks with bubbles).
- ♦Do not drink alcohol. It contains a lot of calories and does not provide nutrition.