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Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass has been one of the most commonly performed bariatric surgical (weight loss) procedures for the last several decades.

Gastric bypass surgery, also known as roux-en Y gastric bypass, is a laparoscopic procedure to restrict the amount of food a patient can consume. Gastric bypass involves the creation of a small gastric pouch then connecting that pouch to the small intestine, rerouting digestion to bypass much of the stomach and part of the small intestine.1

Patients who undergo gastric bypass lose weight due to the resizing of the stomach and the rerouting of the digestive tract. This procedure is both restrictive and changes hunger hormones, meaning that it both restricts the amount of food which can be consumed and decreases hunger. As a result, dramatic weight loss and improved health can be expected.*

*results may vary

Benefits of Gastric Bypass

Gastric bypass surgery has many advantages:

*results may vary

Weight Loss

Patients who have gastric bypass surgery can experience significant weight loss in a short amount of time.*1

Reduction in Cravings

Gastric bypass patients may experience a reduction of ghrelin, a hormone that helps regulate cravings, hunger, and blood sugar.*

Remission or Improvement of Type 2 Diabetes

Improvement or total remission of type 2 diabetes has been noted in 72% of gastric bypass patients.*2.

Cure Sleep Apnea

Improvement or total remission of type 2 diabetes has been noted in 72% of gastric bypass patients.*4

Remission of High Blood Pressure

51% of patients show remission of high blood pressure (hypertension) after gastric bypass surgery.*6

Faster Recovery

Because gastric bypass surgery is performed laparoscopically, patients experience shorter hospital stays, smaller scars, and a faster recovery than with open surgery.*

Improved Quality of Life

After gastric bypass surgery, the overwhelming majority of patients report a significant improvement in overall quality of life.*7

The Gastric Bypass Procedure

Gastric bypass changes the anatomy of the gastrointestinal tract by reducing the size of the stomach and altering the path food takes. Our doctor uses a laparoscopic technique, which is a less invasive method with fewer scars, a shorter hospital stay, and quicker recovery times. Surgery is performed with the patient under anesthesia.

During the procedure, Dr. Doucette will divide the stomach into an upper and lower portion. This will create a smaller upper stomach (pouch), and bypass the lower stomach and the beginning of the intestine. The smaller upper part of the stomach is then connected to the middle of the small intestine. The lower stomach and the beginning of the intestine is then reconnected further down to the intestine. The stomach is left smaller and the digestive tract shorter. As a result, after surgery, patients will feel full faster because there is less room for food and have less hunger as a result of the changes in hunger hormones.

Recovery After Gastric Bypass Surgery

Since we take a laparoscopic approach, our patients will have a shorter hospital stay and quicker recovery. Most patients can resume regular activities within a week after surgery. After surgery, our doctors and team monitor recovery through a number of check up appointments. Our team also provides support for the dietary and lifestyle changes that must accompany weight loss surgery.

In order to support patient’s long term success, our practice offers a comprehensive post-op weight loss program. Resources at Alabama Surgical Associates include long-term follow up care and licensed dietitians experienced in weight loss nutrition to guide patients through the nutritional changes after gastric bypass.

Post-surgery friends working out in a park

Gastric Bypass Results

Following gastric bypass surgery, patients lose an average of 70% of their excess body weight. This, in turn, leads to an improvement in or remission of type 2 diabetes, resolved sleep apnea, resolution of high blood pressure, and reduction of other obesity comorbidities.8*

Who is a Candidate for Gastric Bypass?

The best way to determine whether you are a candidate for gastric bypass surgery is to schedule a consultation with our weight loss surgeon. In general, candidates for gastric bypass have a body mass index (BMI) of over 40, or a BMI of 35 with medical issues related to their weight.

 

Gastric Balloon

Invasiveness
Non-Invasive
Excess Weight Loss*
20-40lbs
Rate of Weight Loss*
Slow
Average Procedure Time
Less than 30 minutes
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
No
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$5,995

Gastric Banding

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
40%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Slower
Average Procedure Time
Less than 1 hour
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$8,995

ESG

Invasiveness
Non-invasive
Excess Weight Loss*
50%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fast
Average Procedure Time
Less than 1 hour
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
No
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$8,995

Gastric Sleeve

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
65%-70%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fast
Average Procedure Time
Less than 1 hour
Typical Hospital Stay*
Out-patient
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$9,995

Gastric Bypass

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
65%-70%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fast
Average Procedure Time
2 hours
Typical Hospital Stay*
1 night
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
$11,995

Duodenal Switch

Invasiveness
Minimal
Excess Weight Loss*
80%
Rate of Weight Loss*
Fastest
Average Procedure Time
2-3 hours
Typical Hospital Stay*
1 night
Insurance Coverage Available*
Yes
Financing Available
Yes
Self Pay Cost
*Call for pricing
Invasiveness Non-Invasive Minimal Non-Invasive Minimal Minimal Minimal
Excess Weight Loss* 20-40lbs 40% 50% 65%-70% 65%-70% 80%
Rate of Weight Loss* Slow Slower Fast Fast Fast Faster
Average Procedure Time Less than 30 minutes Less than 1 hour Less than 1 hour Less than 1 hour 2 hours 3 hours
Typical Hospital Stay* Out-patient Out-patient Out-patient Out-patient 1 night 1 night
Insurance Coverage Available* No Yes No Yes Yes Yes
Financing Available Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes Yes
Self Pay Cost $5,995 $8,995 $8,995 $9,995 $11,995 *Call for Pricing

Self Pay Pricing

SELF PAY PRICING $11,995 – PAYMENTS AS LOW AS $286 A MONTH WITH QUALIFIED FINANCING*

Gastric Bypass costs include:

  • Surgeon’s professional fees
  • Anesthesia
  • Facility fees
  • Overnight hospital stay

*Additional testing and fees may apply. Monthly payment is based on purchase price alone, excluding taxes and interest. Patients must qualify via an approved independent medical lender. Loan offers are given by independent lenders based on approved credit and not everyone will qualify. The lowest possible financing price is $286 per month for 60 months, with current lender terms and conditions for the advertised price for applicants with qualifying credit.

Contact Alabama Surgical Associates

To learn more about gastric bypass surgery and whether you may be a candidate for weight loss surgery, please schedule a consultation online or call us at (256) 361-1481.

*results may vary

The success of gastric bypass depends on a patient’s ability to commit to lifelong healthy eating and exercise. Patients who follow post-op nutritional and exercise recommendations have the most success losing and maintaining weight loss.*

Frequently Asked Questions About Gastric Bypass

How much does gastric bypass surgery cost?

At Alabama Surgical Associates, we realize that for many of our patients, gastric bypass is a life-saving procedure. To ensure that better health is within everyone’s reach, we offer highly competitive self-pay pricing for patients whose procedure is not covered by insurance or who wish to streamline the weight loss surgery process by self-paying. Learn more about the cost of gastric bypass surgery, and get information on payment options we offer our patients.

Will insurance cover my gastric bypass?

For many patients, bariatric surgery is considered a medical necessity and is thus covered by medical insurance. We provide a free insurance check so that you can determine whether your plan covers weight loss surgery.

What are the risks of gastric bypass surgery?

Any surgical procedure is associated with potential risks and complications, but working with an experienced surgeon, like the surgeon at Alabama Surgical Associates, is the best way for patients to feel confident in the outcome of their procedure. Risks of gastric bypass surgery include:

  • Infection
  • Bleeding
  • Blood clots
  • Hernia
  • Respiratory problems
  • Leaking of the gastrointestinal system
  • Bowel obstruction
1 Mayo Clinic. Gastric Bypass. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20385189. Accessed March 16, 2022.
2 Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, Jensen MD, Pories W, Fahrbach K, Schoelles K. Bariatric surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004 Oct 13;292(14):1724-37. doi: 10.1001/jama.292.14.1724. Erratum in: JAMA. 2005 Apr 13;293(14):1728. PMID: 15479938. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15479938/. Accessed March 16. 2022.
3 Benaiges D, Más-Lorenzo A, Goday A, Ramon JM, Chillarón JJ, Pedro-Botet J, Flores-Le Roux JA. Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy: More than a restrictive bariatric surgery procedure? World J Gastroenterol. 2015 Nov 7;21(41):11804-14. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i41.11804. PMID: 26557004; PMCID: PMC4631978. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26557004/. Accessed March 16, 2022.
4 Pournaras DJ, Osborne A, Hawkins SC, Vincent RP, Mahon D, Ewings P, Ghatei MA, Bloom SR, Welbourn R, le Roux CW. Remission of type 2 diabetes after gastric bypass and banding: mechanisms and 2 year outcomes. Ann Surg. 2010 Dec;252(6):966-71. doi: 10.1097/SLA.0b013e3181efc49a. PMID: 21107106. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21107106/. Accessed March 16, 2022.
5 Peromaa-Haavisto P, Tuomilehto H, Kössi J, Virtanen J, Luostarinen M, Pihlajamäki J, Käkelä P, Victorzon M. Obstructive sleep apnea: the effect of bariatric surgery after 12 months. A prospective multicenter trial. Sleep Med. 2017 Jul;35:85-90. doi: 10.1016/j.sleep.2016.12.017. Epub 2017 Jan 12. PMID: 28549834. Available: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28549834/. Accessed March 16, 2022.
6 Schiavon CA, Bersch-Ferreira AC, Santucci EV, et al. Effects of Bariatric Surgery in Obese Patients With Hypertension: The GATEWAY Randomized Trial (Gastric Bypass to Treat Obese Patients With Steady Hypertension) [published correction appears in Circulation. 2019 Oct;140(14):e718]. Circulation. 2018;137(11):1132-1142. doi:10.1161/CIRCULATIONAHA.117.032130. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5865494/. Accessed March 16, 2022.
7 Major P, Matłok M, Pędziwiatr M, et al. Quality of Life After Bariatric Surgery. Obes Surg. 2015;25(9):1703-1710. doi:10.1007/s11695-015-1601-2. Available: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4522031/#:~:text=In%20as%20many%20as%2070.6,corresponding%20to%20the%20general%20standard. Accessed March 16, 2022.
8 Buchwald H, Avidor Y, Braunwald E, et al. Bariatric Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA. 2004;292(14):1724–1737. doi:10.1001/jama.292.14.1724. Available: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/199587. Accessed March 16, 2022.
9 Mayo Clinic. Gastric Bypass. Available: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/gastric-bypass-surgery/about/pac-20385189. Accessed March 16, 2022.