Gastric Bypass
We all know the benefits of maintaining a healthy weight. Not only does it keep you healthy but it boosts your self-confidence and self-image. Yet, obesity is more than just an aesthetic concern, it is a serious condition which has been linked to a variety of health conditions, such as diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, gallbladder disease and joint problems. For some, losing weight can be a life-long struggle and, when obesity has become detrimental to your overall health, it might be time to consider other options.
At Clinica Jóia, we offer different weight loss procedures, one of them being a Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) which is currently the third most common bariatric procedure worldwide. Similarly to a sleeve gastrectomy, this procedure is designed to help you lose any extra weight by combining the principles of restriction and malabsorption, thus providing the helping hand you might need to maintain your health more effectively!
Proven Success
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Typical Uses
Generally, Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) surgery may be a good option for you if:
- YOUR BODY MASS INDEX (BMI) IS 40 OR HIGHER (INDICATING EXTREME OBESITY).
- YOUR BMI IS 35 TO 39.9 (INDICATING OBESITY
- YOU SUFFER FROM A SERIOUS WEIGHT-RELATED HEALTH PROBLEM, SUCH AS TYPE 2 DIABETES, HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE OR SEVERE SLEEP APNEA.
Gastric Bypass is typically done to assist you in your weight loss efforts and reduce your risk of developing potentially fatal, weight-related health conditions such as:
- Heart disease
- High cholesterol
- High blood pressure
- Infertility
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- Stroke
- Cancer
What It Entails
The aim of a Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB) is to make you feel full faster and help ease your weight loss efforts. During this procedure, a long and narrow gastric pouch is created to allow food to bypass part of the small bowel. As the size of the stomach is restricted, the amount of food the body may consume becomes limited and, by passing a section of the small bowel, the amount of calories and nutrients your body is able to absorb is reduced. Combining restrictive and malabsorptive techniques, this procedure ultimately helps you to reduce your daily caloric intake, thus helping you to achieve a healthy weight.
How It Works
1.During the consultation
If you are interested in getting a Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB), you should start by booking a consultation with our expert surgeon. During the consultation, you will be able to express what you hope to gain from this surgery and, after reviewing your medical history and body mass index (BMI), our doctor will be able to determine whether you are eligible to undergo this type of procedure.
2.During the procedure
During the surgical procedure, a general anaesthetic is administered to ensure your comfort throughout. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, our plastic surgeon will start making tiny incisions of about 0.5 to 1.5cm to allow the instruments to be inserted through the trocars. Using state-of-the-art instruments and expert techniques, our surgeon will create a long and narrow gastric pouch which bypasses part of the small bowel (duodenum and part of the jejunum).
3.After the treatment
Post-surgery, your incisions will be covered up using bandages or dressings and you will need to remain in hospital for 1 to 2 nights. Before going home to recover, you will be given specific instructions on: how to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, what medications to apply or take orally to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon. Most of our patients are able to return to their usual everyday activities after 3 to 5 weeks after the operation.
How It Works
If you are interested in getting a Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass (OAGB), you should start by booking a consultation with our expert surgeon. During the consultation, you will be able to express what you hope to gain from this surgery and, after reviewing your medical history and body mass index (BMI), our doctor will be able to determine whether you are eligible to undergo this type of procedure. If you are a viable candidate, our doctor will outline the best course of treatment to ensure that you achieve optimal results. If you are eligible to undergo this procedure, our doctor will prompt you to schedule your sessions with the rest of the multidisciplinary bariatric team (dietician, psychologist and anaesthetist), and undergo thorough endoscopic, imaging and laboratory investigations.
During the surgical procedure, a general anaesthetic is administered to ensure your comfort throughout. Once the anaesthesia has taken effect, our plastic surgeon will start making tiny incisions of about 0.5 to 1.5cm to allow the instruments to be inserted through the trocars. Using state-of-the-art instruments and expert techniques, our surgeon will create a long and narrow gastric pouch which bypasses part of the small bowel (duodenum and part of the jejunum). When this process is complete, all surgical instruments are removed and the incisions are closed. Overall, this surgery usually lasts around 1 ½ hrs, after which you will wake up in the recovery room.
Post-surgery, your incisions will be covered up using bandages or dressings and you will need to remain in hospital for 1 to 2 nights. Before going home to recover, you will be given specific instructions on: how to care for your surgical site(s) following surgery, what medications to apply or take orally to promote healing and reduce the risk of infection, specific concerns to look for at the surgical site or in your general health, and when to follow up with your plastic surgeon. Most of our patients are able to return to their usual everyday activities after 3 to 5 weeks after the operation.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any major surgical procedure, side effects may occur, and the risks and potential complications will be discussed in detail during the initial consultation. The possible short term risks may include:
- Excessive bleeding
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Stomach leaks
Whilst long term risks can include:
- Reflux
- Dumping syndrome with diarrhea, nausea and vomiting
- Ulcers
- Malnutrition
- Hernia
- Vomiting
Though it may seem daunting, the benefits of the surgery often outweigh the risks. Both risks and benefits should be assessed when considering surgery.
Your bariatric procedure is designed for long-lasting effects. However, you can ensure longer results by following the multidisciplinary team’s instructions and regularly attending follow-up visits.
Studies have found that after just one year of getting the surgery, patients typically lose 89% of their excess weight. After five years, patients lose 73.3% of their excess weight. These amounts are averages, and the amount of weight loss varies from individual to individual.
Sources: A. Hussain et al. “Surg.”, 2019; JM. Chevallier. “Obes. Surg.”, 2015.
Follow-Up Procedures
All bariatric patients are advised to remain punctual for their follow-up visits, which are crucial to the overall outcome of the procedure.
Follow-up appointments will also be scheduled for two to three weeks after surgery, then regularly every 3 months and later annually.
