Treatment guide

Gastric Bypass Surgery

The gastric bypass, also known as the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a bariatric surgery that works by restricting the amount of food intake in addition to reducing absorptive capacity of food ingested.

The content has been reviewed for quality and accuracy to the best of our knowledge by Qunomedical and its Medical Board of Experts.

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★★★★★Gael D., Germany:
“Qunomedical helped me so much! Thank you!“

QUICK DETAILS

WHO IS THIS FOR

  • A gastric bypass is often prescribed for those with a BMI of over 40.

  • May also be recommended for patients with a BMI of 30 and above, who suffer from conditions such as high blood pressure and/or type 2 diabetes

SUCCESS

  • 85% of patients report sustained weight loss of 50% following gastric bypass surgery

  • Complications are reported in 5% of cases, while the procedure has a mortality rate of 0.1%

  • In 10-15% cases the procedure fails, and further bariatric surgery may be needed

RECOVERY TIME

  • Initial hospital stays following gastric bypass surgery last from 1-4 days.

  • Patients generally return to full fitness within 3-5 weeks.

TREATMENT DURATION

  • 1 to 2 week pre-op diet to reduce fat around the stomach and liver after an initial screening process to determine whether suitable for bypass

  • Surgery: 1 to 4 hours

POTENTIAL RISKS & SIDE EFFECTS

  • Constipation

  • Gallstones

  • Dumping syndrome (when certain foods pass too quickly through the gastric tract, leading to nausea and diarrhoea)

  • More serious complications can include internal infections, gastric leakage and blood clots, which occur in roughly 1% of cases

ALTERNATIVE TREATMENTS

Before / After Photos

Cost

PRICE CALCULATION

The cost of weight-loss surgery depends on the type of surgery being performed, the complexity of the procedure, the expertise of the surgeon, the general health of the patient, and the country in which the surgery is performed. The pricing differential depends on many factors, such as cost of living, exchange rates, practicing costs or regulatory conditions, which may differ greatly from country to country.

CountryPrice (EUR €)
Lithuania€5,800
Poland€5,990
Czech Republic€6,500
Mexico€7,000
Germany€8,500
United Kingdom€12,400
United States€19,500

How does it work?

Gastric bypass surgery is usually recommended for any adult who has a BMI greater than 40, a BMI greater than 35 with comorbidities linked to obesity, such as type II diabetes, or a BMI greater than 30 with serious health problems.

What is Body Mass Index (BMI) and how do you calculate yours?

This is the formula used to calculate the BMI: Weight in Kilograms / Height squared in Meters or weight (kg) ÷ height^2 (m^2)

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a globally accepted measure of body fat based on the relationship between height and weight.

Below the BMI weight categories:

  • below 18.5 = Underweight

  • 18.5 - 24.9 = Healthy

  • 25 - 29.9 = Overweight

  • 30 - 35 = Obese

  • above 35 = Extremely Obese

BMI calc rsi87r

How does a gastric bypass surgery work?

During the surgery itself (also known as a "Roux-en-Y gastric bypass"), doctors restrict the stomach using surgical staples, leaving a walnut-sized pouch.

The surgeon will then reconnect the patient's small intestine (duodenum) to this small pouch, bypassing the rest of the stomach and artificially limiting the capacity of the body to ingest food and drink.

There are different ways to access the stomach area to carry out the surgery. In the past, surgeons would generally make a broad incision across the patient's belly to access the stomach.

Modern techniques are less invasive, using tiny cameras called laparoscopes to provide a view of the stomach. With the help of the laparoscope, surgeons can then insert the tools they need to use into tiny incisions, which heal faster, resulting in shorter inpatient stays and less pain.

What should I expect from a gastric bypass procedure?

When you choose to undergo a gastric bypass operation, expect a lengthy process of preparation before you reach the operating theatre. Diet is an important part of the process. Shortly before the operation, expect to be required to follow a diet that is designed to reduce fat deposits around the stomach and liver.

For a brief period following surgery, a purely liquid diet is essential. After that, patients need to gradually adapt their food intake to suit their restricted stomach capacity and recovery process. The stages in this diet will be clearly laid-out by your specialists and vary from patient to patient.

During the surgery itself, patients will be placed under general anaesthetic. Recovery times vary, but will be much shorter if a laparoscopic technique is used. In any case, the healing process usually lasts 3-5 weeks, and most patients leave the hospital within 3 days.

What lifestyle changes are involved after a gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass procedures always lead to major lifestyle changes. This is most obvious in the food and drink you consume. You will need to radically reduce the amount that you eat and control the nutrients that you include in your meals.

Gastric bypass patients tend to require higher quantities of vitamins and minerals, generally derived from fresh fruits and vegetables. You are expected to reduce your intake of sugars considerably, while maintaining a high protein intake of 60-100g per day.

The vast majority of patients also need to take multivitamins on a daily basis following their gastric bypass, including the full range of micronutrients, from Vitamin D to Iron and Calcium.

Hydration also becomes vital. Gastric bypass procedures tend to reduce the body's capacity to absorb water, meaning that you should make sure to rehydrate regularly, even if you do not feel thirsty.

Physicians may make additional recommendations, such as avoiding non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS), which can inflame the stomach. They will recommend a fitness regime in almost all cases. Although gastric bypasses radically restrict calorie intake, they must be combined with physical activity to maintain weight loss. Most patients change their lifestyles to include gym memberships or increased exercise as a result.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Reviews

Gastric Bypass Surgery Reviews

4.8
Dr. Major and his team go above and beyond to make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable.
★★★★★
11.03.2019

kcm and Prof. Major are amazing. I was really nervous about going abroad for a gastric bypass but that was soon put aside from the moment we landed in Poland.  Dr. Major and his team go above and beyond to make sure you’re relaxed and comfortable. all very professional. I will and already have recommended people to kcm. thank you

Char
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery
  • KCM Clinic
My experience is that everything was well organized, but I don't advise to go alone without knowledge of the local language or English alone on the way.
★★★★☆
19.02.2019

I was picked up from the airport and taken back. The process was well thought out and ran without any problems. The staff was very nice and treated me well. The hospital was also very clean. My experience is that everything was well organized, but I don't advise to go alone without knowledge of the local language or English alone on the way.

Beate R.
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery
  • KCM Clinic
Like I said the experience was great the staff were all very helpful Alexandra was super I can't recommend her enough and Juste at the hospital.
★★★★☆
19.02.2019

From the start Alexandra was brilliant when I began looking into the surgery every question I had she answered and her manner was kind and helpful. She would call me regularly and send over any info I required promptly. Once I made the decision to go for the surgery things moved fast I booked the flights and paid the deposit. On arrival at the airport a driver met me and brought me directly to the hotel he pointed out the hospital on the way past. I arrived the day before my surgery. I was excited and nervous this was a new start for me. All the transfers to and from my hotel were arranged by my contact at the hospital Jannis/Juste. It was great to know you could call someone any time with questions or concerns and she was fantastic. I had the gastric bypass done after consulting with the surgeon. I fasted from the evening before and my surgery was the following afternoon. A taxi was arranged to pick me up early to go to the hospital for my pre op tests. It was like having an MOT they were very thorough and it made me feel safe. I went ahead and next thing I was waking up all over. The nurses were very attentive and I was in a private room with ensuite. The facilities were modern and very clean. I had one or two small problems after surgery with food and discomfort but I was well taken care of until it settled down. I spent 2 nights in the hospital originally and one more after because of discomfort I just had to stay on a liquid diet a little longer. The only issue I had before leaving was a darting pain in my left hip which I still have and was told would settle down. I was concerned about it being a clot and called juste in the middle of the night. She contacted the surgeon and they were sure it was not that but arranged a scan to confirm as I was flying home later that day. It was all clear and I was delighted with the response to my concern. I spent 3 nights in the hospital and 5 nights in the hotel. The only negative for me was the hotel even though I can't fault the staff it had no restaurant and limited seating area. This just meant that you were confined to your room alot. Also the location was close to the hospital but it had a nightclub next door which meant loud noise on 3 nights. Otherwise my experience was very good and I would highly recommend this hospital. Like I said the experience was great the staff were all very helpful Alexandra was super I can't recommend her enough and Juste at the hospital. The only issue was the accommodation should be better I had to go to the supermarket to buy yoghurt soup and water as there was no restaurant at the hotel and they didn't have the natural yoghurt either. It was a big issue for me bcoz I was lucky I came around fast from the surgery and recovered well with only one or two issues but I was weak and having to go out in the cold to buy essentials 2 days after surgery was not good. When I told Juste she did send more supplies from the hospital but if the hotel had a restaurant these basic needs would have been covered.

Teresa
  • Mindaugas Kazanavicius
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery
  • Kardiolita Hospital Vilnius
Reyap Hospital in Turkey was the best
★★★★★
15.02.2019

Reyap Hospital in Turkey was the best. I am healing brilliantly and am so happy with the results so far. My family were shocked when I told them ı would be getting surgery done overseas, expecially a big surgery like mine. Now that it is all over and I am very pleased with the results a few of my family members will be planning to get treatment done at Reyap Hospital aswell. I highly recommend this hospital. The environment is very clean. The workers are very caring and friendly and for sure they are very high in quality. Thank you Reyap Hospital :)

Rebecca
  • Gastric Bypass Surgery
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