A gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y, is a safe and highly effective surgical procedure for the treatment of obesity. It is the second most popular bariatric procedure right after the gastric sleeve surgery, worldwide. Out of all the hundreds of thousands bariatric surgeries that are performed worldwide, 31% account for the gastric bypass according to the latest International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders’ (IFSO) latest global report [1].
A gastric bypass is a restrictive and malabsorptive bariatric procedure because it reduces the size of the stomach and it reroutes the small intestines for a faster digestion, with less nutrient’s absorption. Because of this double-mechanism strategy, one can expect to lose more weight in comparison with a simpler procedure like the gastric sleeve.
A gastric bypass is done with laparoscopic techniques in which the surgeon inserts a laparoscopic camera in the patient’s belly and, with small incisions in the abdomen, inserts a long, lean stapler with which she staples the stomach vertically to remove roughly 80% of it, and then proceeds to cut the smaller intestine to reroute a shortcut passage for the digestive system. The patient remains sedated and asleep during the whole process. After surgery, the patient can expect a fast recovery after a 1 to 2 night-stay at the recovery room, a six weeks mandatory rest, and a 2 months post-surgical diet that progresses from liquids to solid foods.
The benefits of this procedure are not only major weight loss, but also the amelioration, and in some cases the resolution, of life-threatening diseases associated to obesity such as type II diabetes, hypertension, heart diseases, joint pain, obstructive sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, dyslipidemia, asthma, varicose veins, and even infertility.
With the Roux-en-Y, patients eat less food and at the same time absorb less calories and nutrients, which translates to major weight loss. This surgery is meant for patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) above 40 that also suffer from two ore more high-risk obesity associated diseases like type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension or others.
How much weight can one expect to lose after a gastric bypass surgery?
This will depend on many factors, such as the patient’s initial weight and BMI and the habit and lifestyle changes that he/she/they adopt after surgery. A gastric bypass does cause major weight loss, but not by itself. For long-term results patients need to change their eating habits to prefer healthier choices and smaller portions, and should keep physically active, either with exercise routines or daily activities. So, having this under consideration, one can expect to lose more than 70% excess body weight during the first year after gastric bypass surgery, meaning most of the unhealthy weight beyond a person’s ideal weight. With a Roux-en-Y, people tend to lose between 27 and 37% of their body weight during their first year after surgery [1]. And changes are dramatically noticeable very fast, as soon as 3 months after surgery.
Bariatric Surgery at LIMARP
LIMARP International Center of Excellence for Obesity is an internationally certified clinic and one of the top medical tourism destinations in Tijuana, Mexico. Directed by lead surgeon Dr. Liza María Pompa González, Master Surgeon of Excellence regarded as such by the Surgical Review Corporation, the clinic offers an integral bariatric program that tackles obesity from a multidisciplinary approach. The program includes either a surgical procedure, like a gastric bypass, gastric sleeve or duodenal switch, or a non-surgical procedure like the intragastric balloon or the gastric band, along with psychological counseling, constant nutritional guidance and a personalized exercise routine designed by a bariatric fitness expert. It also offers an integral long-term follow-up program that patients can keep up with using a convenient digital app that you can download on your phone.
For patients travelling from abroad, we also offer an all-inclusive package that adds a two-night stay at the luxurious Grand Hotel Tijuana, located right next door to our clinic, and transportation from the airport to the hotel and back.
Before and After Gastric Bypass Surgery Transformations
Dr. Liza María Pompa has practiced thousands of gastric bypass surgeries at LIMARP. Patients have travelled from all over the world, mainly United States, Canada, Europe and inner states of Mexico to receive bariatric surgery and obesity treatment at LIMARP. Join us to witness some of their incredible transformations with their before and after gastric surgery photos.
Meet Lizette
Lizette received a mini-gastric bypass at LIMARP. She was captivated by Dr. Pompa’s warmth and sensitivity, and by LIMARP’s personalized care and attention. Lizette feels that the surgery has changed her life, as she lost more than a hundred pounds of weight and her overall health has significantly improved.
Surgery for a healthier future
This patient reduced 30% of her weight after her gastric bypass. Her procedure alleviated her joint pain, improved her posture, confidence and health.
Meet Jason
Jason started gaining weight when he was in his mid-20s. He always assumed he had a big physic due to his genetics and family history, but things started to get ugly when he soon developed high blood pressure and diabetes. He felt he had to do something before it was too late. He consulted Dr. Pompa and received a gastric bypass at LIMARP. This is what he has to say:
Life is physically so much easier since I’ve lost over 145 pounds. I am embracing a whole new life and outlook, enjoying meeting new people in Saskatoon, telling my story.
Jason is one of the 1% of patients that experience post-surgical complications. Dr. Pompa and her multidisciplinary team, along with Jason’s doctors in Canada, intervened right away. Jason says he felt “completely taken care of” throughout the journey.
Bariatric surgery can transform your body and your confidence
This patient made the decision to call LIMARP. In less than a year she lost more than a hundred pounds. Not only did her physical health significantly improved, but also her psychological health. She’s now happier and more confident than ever.
Our patients are happy and satisfied
We have operated on more than 10,000 patients that have travelled from Canada, United States, Europe and Mexico to receive bariatric treatment. You can glance at our photo gallery below to see the before and after gastric bypass photos. Don’t they look amazing?
We are very grateful with our patients for trusting LIMARP for their obesity treatments and surgery. The smiles on their faces and their renewed confidence when they return to their follow-up consultations make our business and work very worthwhile and rewarding. Helping people defeat obesity is our main drive and we would like to see it happen in many other people that are currently struggling with their weight and health.
Contact us today
If you are interested in knowing if having a bariatric surgery is the right choice for you, please call our clinic or send us a message through this webpage or any of our social media pages. Our team of experts can guide you through all of your options for treatment. Call today for a free consultation. You could begin your journey to a better future today.
Bibliography
[1] International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Disorders (2019). The 5th IFSO Global Registry Report. https://www.ifso.com/pdf/5th-ifso-global-registry-report-september-2019.pdf
