Gastric Bypass

The ideal candidates for gastric bypass surgery are those who have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI of 35 or higher with significant obesity-related health conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea. These individuals should have also made sincere efforts to lose weight through conventional methods such as diet and exercise, without achieving sustainable results.  If you are of Asian ethnicity and/or you are a Type 2 diabetic we would consider surgery at a lower BMI. We will explain the eligibility criteria in more detail at your face-to-face consultation.

At Healthier Weight, we specialise in bariatrics. We offer gastric bypass surgery for individuals seeking a dedicated and personalised approach to their weight loss journey. Our criteria for eligibility focus primarily on a BMI of 40 or higher, with no upper BMI limit, as we specialise exclusively in weight loss procedures. We understand that obesity affects individuals differently, and our team of experienced surgeons, dieticians, and support staff are dedicated to evaluating your unique circumstances. We prioritise your individual goals, health conditions, readiness for the procedure, and long-term commitment to ensure the best outcomes.

The simplest way to describe bypass surgery is to say that the stomach and bowel are ‘re-plumbed’ so that the food you eat goes into a reduced stomach before passing directly into the bowel a little further down the bowel than was the case before. The bypass works in two ways. Firstly, by reducing the size of the stomach and so restricting the amount of food that can be eaten. We usually reduce the stomach’s capacity by as much as 90-95%. On this page, we give a technical breakdown of how the procedure is done.

The gastric bypass surgery itself typically last 45 to 60 minutes. You can expect to stay in hospital for 2 nights after which you’ll be discharged and advised to rest for at least 7 days to aid recovery. Improved comfort is expected around 2 weeks post-surgery.

Generally there is minimal scarring with a gastric bypass. The operating ports are placed in the abdomen through 5 narrow (0.5 cm) incisions which are sutured and/or glued and will normally heal in about 10-14 days. The scars should fade gradually. Some individuals have a greater tendency to form keloid which may result in thicker and more prominent scars.

This depends upon what you do for a living, but if you have a sedentary occupation you can generally expect to be back at work about 2 weeks after gastric bypass, after which time the wounds should have healed and you will be feeling more comfortable. If you have a physically demanding job involving lifting etc, you may need a little longer. The bowel and stomach inside your abdomen will be healed in around 6-8 weeks, so during this period it is important that you follow the nutritional guidelines as closely as you can.

Of course, the main benefit people are seeking when they have bypass surgery is to lose weight. There are other significant benefits, however, especially where improvements in health are concerned. Those people who are managing health problems associated with their weight can expect significant improvements after the bypass.

Typically, we expect gastric bypass patients to lose 70-80% of their excess weight over a 2-year period, and most of this weight is lost in the first year after surgery*. You will see from our case studies that some people lose all their excess weight. 

To compensate there will be some who lose a little less. For this reason, 70-80% is a reasonable expectation. Weight loss results will differ from person to person and your results, especially in the long term, will depend on how well you are able to adapt your lifestyle and eating habits. Our bariatric aftercare team is vital to helping you learn and embed the skills needed to maximise and maintain your weight loss (see before and after photos and stories from gastric bypass patients here).

Weight loss example

• A 5ft 6in person weighing 17st (240lbs / 109kgs) has an ideal weight of about 11st (154lbs / 70kgs)
• They are carrying excess weight therefore of 86lbs (240lbs actual weight minus 154lbs ideal weight)
• 70% of 86lbs is around 60lbs
• So, this person could expect to lose (on average) about 60lbs (27kgs).

Scientific evidence suggests that most gastric bypass patients who comply with the follow-up requirements, including nutritional recommendations, do very well, and see great long-term results*. Moreover, compared with obese individuals who have not had surgery, gastric bypass patients have a much lower risk of premature death and disability.

*JAMA. 2012 Jan 4;307(1):56-65. doi: 10.1001/jama.2011.1914. Bariatric surgery and long-term cardiovascular events

Turning to the health benefits bypass patients can expect, it’s a long list and the improvements are usually very significant. In many cases people see a complete resolution of their symptoms for the problem they are managing.  Here are some of the more common weight related health problems and the benefit people can expect.**

• Mobility improves dramatically and joint pain decreases
• There are improvements in mood and self-esteem, and overall quality of life
• Perhaps the biggest benefit of all is that people live longer after bypass surgery!

As specialists in weight loss surgery we are familiar with all the health issues associated with obesity. It is also our duty to inform all our patients of the risks and potential complications of gastric bypass surgery, you can view these here. If you have specific health question, please do contact our team and we’ll be pleased to discuss them with you.

Video: How my health improved after weight loss surgery

**Buchwald H et al. Bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004 Oct 13;292(14):1724-37.

You may eat most foods that don’t cause you discomfort. However, because you can only  eat small amounts, it is important to include foods rich in protein but low in fat and sugar. We encourage you to eat vegetables, fruit, wholegrains, lean meat and fish. You will be provided with detailed nutritional information following your gastric bypass surgery.

Due to the considerable amount of weight that gastric bypass patients typically lose, it’s possible that you will experience some excess, loose or saggy skin. This most commonly occurs in the abdominal apron, or trunk area. The amount of excess skin you’ll be left with following a gastric bypass operation varies and will depend upon your age and weight before the procedure. Generally, the heavier and older you are, the more likely you are to have excess skin. Younger patients tend not to have as much lax skin due to greater natural skin elasticity. 

In the United Kingdom, the National Health Service (NHS) provides gastric bypass surgery for eligible individuals. To access this procedure through the NHS, patients typically need a referral from their primary care physician. The referral is usually made to a specialist bariatric service, where further assessments and evaluations are conducted to determine the appropriateness of the surgery. The decision to offer gastric bypass surgery on the NHS is based on various factors, including the patient’s BMI, their obesity-related health conditions, and the impact of these conditions on their overall well-being. The waiting times for surgery can vary depending on the local NHS policies and resource availability.

Your long term success with your procedure is dependent on high quality aftercare. Anyone who has had weight loss surgery will tell you this is crucial. All too frequently, overseas surgery packages have no aftercare.

In the UK surgeon outcomes are monitored closely. There is a duty of candour and transparency. In many overseas countries the same standards do not apply. We have seen many ‘botched’ procedures from overseas that come with limited aftercare and warranties. You won’t receive any support from any serious problems that arise post-op, and you will ultimately go onto the NHS waiting list for your procedure to be put right.