What is gastric bypass repair?
People who undergo laparoscopic surgery such as gastric bypass do so in order to reduce the capacity of the stomach and thus have a feeling of satiety, thus helping them to lose weight in cases of obesity. Although these surgeries are usually successful, over the years they can cause some problems, such as the dilation of the duct through which food passes from the reduced stomach to the intestine. This causes the patient not to feel that initial sensation of satiety.
Gastric bypass repair basically consists of two options: either to undergo the operation again or to repair the faults that the bypass is suffering with endoscopic techniques.
It is an operation that is performed under general anesthesia and in the operating room, although it is a quick and minimally invasive surgery.
Why is it performed?
Gastric bypass repair, as its name suggests, is used to repair possible failures of the bypass implanted some time ago in the patient, due to dilatations or other problems.
As in all treatments to combat overweight or obesity, the stomach capacity will be reduced again, increasing the feeling of satiety in the patient and that he/she ingests less amount of food.
What does it consist of?
Gastric bypass repair consists of reducing the capacity of the stomach again. After the intervention, the patient will again feel the sensation of satiety, by closing the duct that had been dilated.
It is a procedure that is performed endoscopically, since it will be much more beneficial for the patient, as it is a less invasive, more effective and risk-free technique. In addition, if the endoscopic route is chosen, the patient will hardly have to be hospitalized.
However, gastric bypass repair is not done in a single session but in several (usually two or three), spaced two months apart, more or less.
There are several techniques to perform gastric bypass repair, one of the best known being the Apollo or Over Stich Method, an endoscopic technique through which sutures can be made in the stomach wall and thus reduce its capacity.
Normally it is an intervention without complications, but it can happen that the duct contracts excessively and produces some discomfort, or prevents the patient from eating. However, this is something that general or digestive surgeons can easily repair by slightly dilating the duct again, after which the patient will be able to live a normal life again.
Preparation for gastric bypass repair
In principle, no preparation is required prior to the operation, nor does the patient need to be admitted to the hospital beforehand. However, the specialist will indicate to each patient, according to his or her personal situation, what to do before undergoing the operation.
Care after the operation
Although hospitalization is brief and recovery is usually quick, the patient will have to follow a diet in the following days after the operation, which the specialist will indicate.
Alternatives to this treatment
The alternatives to gastric bypass repair could be the gastric sleeve and the POSE method. However, oral-endoscopic bypass repair is much less invasive and does not require incisions.