What does Gastric Bypass Surgery Actually Do?

First, the stomach is cut to create a very small upper pouch and a larger lower pouch and second, the small intestine is cut.

The more distant portion of the small intestine is connected to the small stomach pouch. Initially, this pouch holds about an ounce of food, causing a feeling of fullness after consuming a very small amount. In time, the pouch stretches to hold about one cup of food at each meal.

The remaining larger lower stomach pouch, which does not receive food anymore, is sutured to the small intestine and is needed to deliver digestive juices and hormones.

Since food bypasses the majority of the stomach, as well as the upper small intestine, the body absorbs fewer calories from the food. Gastric bypass decreases appetite and improves metabolism by altering the release of various hormones.

After gastric bypass surgery, patients feel full faster and must eat much less at any given time.

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_{Medline Plus Medical Encyclopedia: Weight-loss surgeries. Feb 2008. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/007199.htm}