Gastric bypass is one of the bariatric surgery options in Turkey for patients suffering from severe obesity. This procedure involves the creation of a tiny stomach pouch that can only hold a small amount of food.
The pouch is completely separated from the rest of the stomach and empties directly into a tube in the small intestine that is sewn to the pouch. The stomach, although no longer passing food, would not be removed.
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What is gastric bypass?
Gastric bypass is a type of bariatric surgery restricting food intake to lose weight. Regardless of the technique used, the goal of this surgery is to reduce the size of the stomach and the length of the path that food takes through the intestines in order to:
- Achieve earlier satiety.
- Reduce caloric intake.
Gastric bypass is a mixed procedure with a primarily functional effect, combining the two components of "gastro-restriction" and "malabsorption". The surgery induces hormonal changes that reduce the patient's appetite. Ultimately, these phenomena lead to a significant weight loss of up to 60-70%.
Gastric bypass involves a specific surgical technique to create a gastric pouch and bypass the last section of the small intestine, which is made up of food.
Gastric bypass techniques
There are two different techniques for performing gastric bypass surgery at our clinics in Turkey:
- Roux-en-Y or BPGY: This is the oldest and best-known technique in which the surgeon divides the stomach and connects it to the small intestine.
- Omega or gastrojejunal bypass: In this technique, the stomach pouch is longer and connected to the small intestine with a single suture.
When is gastric bypass surgery indicated?
Bariatric surgery is not the first choice for all obese or overweight patients. It is suggested only when all non-surgical attempts made to lose weight such as diet, behavioral therapy, and drugs have failed.
According to bariatric surgery specialists in Turkey, gastric bypass is indicated :
- For obese patients with a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 40, for whom no medical and dietary treatments have been able to lead to weight loss.
- For patients with a BMI between 35 and 40 with serious medical conditions such as sleep apnea syndrome, diabetes, and joint pain.
Preoperative phase
The success of gastric bypass surgery depends to a large extent on adequate preparation. This begins with a thorough medical and psychological assessment of the patient.
Mental assessment
Gastric bypass surgery implies a long-term commitment to a healthy lifestyle. As a result, the patient needs to prepare mentally for lifestyle changes and post-operative challenges.
Psychological support can be invaluable in helping the patient prepare mentally and manage the emotional aspects of this change.
Physical assessment
In addition to psychological support, a complete preoperative evaluation is necessary to ensure a smooth procedure. This includes a physical examination and blood tests. An endoscopic examination of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum is also performed to rule out the presence of gastric and/or duodenal pathologies that may contraindicate surgery.
Multidisciplinary preoperative follow-Up
In order to maximize the chances of success and optimize the postoperative recovery, the patient benefits from a multidisciplinary preoperative follow-up throughout 6 to 12 months. The goals of this personalized program are to
- Define a course of care to be adjusted each month.
- Educate the patient on the adoption of a new lifestyle, diet, and physical activity.
- Monitor the patient's overall health.
The goal of this program is to provide individualized support to each patient throughout the process. This allows them to benefit from all the information and support they need to succeed in their physical and mental transformation.
Advantages of this bariatric intervention
Gastric bypass surgery has several advantages over other techniques, such as gastric balloon and sleeve gastrectomy:
- Consistent and long-lasting weight loss: you will lose about 50-75% of your body weight in the first year, although after 1-2 years the loss will tend to slow down.
- Diseases such as diabetes and hypercholesterolemia improve rapidly.
- 29% reduction in global mortality: 60% reduction in cancer mortality and 90% reduction in diabetes mortality.
- Reduced morbidity, i.e. the consequences that obesity can cause, including lower blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, and reflux symptoms.
Complications & side effects
This is a complex surgical procedure involving sections of the digestive tract and gastrointestinal anastomosis. As a result, bleeding, infection, etc. may occur in the immediate post-operative period, with an incidence of 2-4% of cases.
Gastric bypass surgery may involve certain complications and side effects, including:
- The disintegration of the sutures on the stomach or the intestine with the formation of gastric or intestinal fistula and peritonitis that can be treated with medical therapies or require a new surgical procedure.
- Internal hernias: after such an operation, the strangulation of a section of intestines inside the abdomen can occur, with consequent difficulty in transit. As a result, this complication may require a new surgery.
- Anastomotic ulcers: they are formed near the anastomosis between the stomach and intestine. They can lead to abdominal pain, feeding difficulties, and, rarely, hematemesis. These complications are usually resolved with pharmacological therapies, but in some cases may require hospitalization.
- Stenosis and obstruction of the gastrointestinal tract, resulting in difficulty in feeding, nausea, and vomiting. Stenosis can generally be resolved by endoscopic dilation, but may sometimes require surgery.
- Nutritional deficiencies are more frequent, but they are usually corrected by replacement therapy and careful control of the nutrition.
Gastric bypass surgery in Turkey: Costs & information
The price of gastric bypass surgery depends largely on the expertise of the surgeon who will be performing this type of procedure. In fact, the quality of care is a criterion that must be given the utmost consideration, as this procedure cannot be considered simple.
Generally speaking, the approximate cost of a gastric bypass in Turkey is 3,500 Euros. This cost varies from 3,000 to 4,000 Euros depending on each patient's case and individual needs.
With Turquie Santé, we provide medical support throughout your bariatric surgery process. Our team can provide you with all the medical support you need until your full recovery.
Opt for a free teleconsultation and assess your eligibility for gastric bypass surgery in Turkey!
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It is a method used in bariatric surgery and that modifies the trajectory of the food circuit. The upper part of the stomach is severed and then connected to the small intestine. Food therefore will no longer pass through the upper part of the digestive tract, it goes directly to the small intestine. This method aims to decrease appetite as well as absorption of nutrients.
Gastric bypass is especially recommended for people with a BMI (body mass index) that exceeds 45 Kg/m².
Right after the surgery, you will only be able to eat food with a liquid to semi-liquid texture. After a few days, you will be able to eat minced food. It is important to note that you should eat very slowly and in small bites.
Drinks should be taken twenty to thirty minutes before or after meals.
The decreased absorption of nutrients would require taking long-term food supplements.
The time off work can vary between three or four weeks, depending on the nature of the patient's professional activity.
