Gastric bypass is a popular type of bariatric surgery that is both restrictive (decreases the stomach size, thus lowers capacity) and malabsorptive (limits nutrient absorption). Gastric bypass surgery can help obese individuals to lose excess weight.

Are you interested in gastric bypass? Dr. Long, an award-winning bariatric surgeon at Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, can help! Dr. Long performs gastric bypass surgery at our specialized facility an hour from Montgomery, Alabama.

To contact Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, call (205) 833-6907.

Gastric Bypass Surgery: The Procedure

Gastric bypass surgery is a two-step process. First, your surgeon will cut and staple your stomach to create a small pouch. The smaller stomach pouch will limit the amount of food you can consume in one sitting. Second, your surgeon will cut your small intestine and attach the lower section to the newly created stomach pouch. With this step, food will bypass the small intestine’s upper portion, reducing the number of calories it will absorb.

At Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, our team performs gastric bypass surgery laparoscopically. To start, our medical assistant will administer a general anesthetic. Then, Dr. Long will make 4 to 6 abdominal incisions. He will complete the procedure through these incisions using a laparoscope– a thin instrument fitted with a camera– and other specialty tools. Upon completion, Dr. Long will check the stomach/intestine connection for leaks.

Dr. Long can complete your gastric bypass procedure in an hour and a half. Gastric bypass is an inpatient procedure, and we require you to recover in the hospital for a day or two before returning to your Montgomery home. Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery will provide you with medication to manage pain and a specialized diet plan.

What are the benefits and risks of gastric bypass surgery?

There are many benefits of gastric bypass surgery:

  • Gastric bypass is the best type of bariatric surgery to cure diabetes, sleep apnea, and high blood pressure.
  • Patients who undergo surgery can expect rapid weight loss in the first six months.
  • Gastric bypass surgery has an excellent track record in the United States.
  • Gastric bypass patients tend to lose more weight than those who opted for a gastric band or gastric sleeve surgery.

As with all surgeries, there are some disadvantages and risks associated with gastric bypass:

  • Patients will have a longer recovery time post-surgery.
  • Gastric bypass surgery is not easily reversible. However, a surgeon can reverse the procedure if it is medically required.
  • The staple line where the stomach pouch meets the small intestine may leak.
  • Patients are required to take mineral and nutritional supplements for life.
  • Patients may experience a 10-20% weight regain 2 to 5 years post-surgery.

Schedule Your Gastric Bypass Surgery Near Montgomery, AL

If you live in Montgomery, Alabama, and are looking to receive gastric bypass surgery nearby, consider Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery. Our specialized bariatric surgery center is located in Birmingham, about an hour’s drive from your home.

Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery has one of the areas top bariatric surgeons, Dr. Jay C. Long. Dr. Long is experienced, licensed, certified, and is available for one-on-one consultations.

To schedule a consultation with Dr. Long to discuss gastric bypass surgery or your other bariatric surgery options, call Birmingham Minimally Invasive Surgery, (205) 833-6907, or message us via our online form.

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