Mini gastric bypass, what is it?:
The Mini Gastric Bypass (MGB) is a minimally (minimally is subjective...you are still getting cut into) invasive, and relatively inexpensive gastric bypass surgery. The operation takes an average of 30 minutes, and you are out of the hospital in about 24 hours. The Mini Gastric Bypass has a very good track record of being low risk, and it has very good long term weight loss results, there is usually minimal pain (although its still there), and you can reverse it if you must.
Dr. Robert Rutledge developed the “Mini” gastric bypass in 1997. This form of bypass creates a small pouch significantly lower in the abdomen than the previous versions and incorporates a loop style connection with the small bowel that produces similar results to the Roux-en-Y bypass. The benefits of the mini gastric bypass are similar to the Roux-en-Y bypass. A patient that undergoes the mini still has to be closely followed and monitored for calcium and iron deficiencies, just like the Roux-en-Y bypass. The risks and rewards associated with the mini gastric bypass are very similar to the Roux-en-Y bypass, although the risks tend to be lower with the mini.
MGB has been found to be much safer than other kinds of gastric surgery and most of the patients who undergo mini gastric bypass surgery find that the benefits outweigh the risks. Nearly 3000 patients have undergone the surgery so far and the complication rate is less than 6%. There has been one documented death that was related to MGB. Again, this procedure is not for people who want to shed a few pounds, this is designed specifically for people who are significantly overweight. This is still surgery, and with it comes the appropriate amount of risks. There are also; however, many risks that are associated with being obese, and those risks tend be outweighed by the benefits of this type of surgery. There are many health concerns that are related to obesity, and nearly all of them are drastically cut when the MGB surgery is completed.
After the operation is completed there are many steps that need to be taken to ensure consistent results. Your diet is going to need to be modified, your activity levels will need to increase, you will need to regularly clean your dressings, and you are going to have to take the proper medications to make sure you don't get sick after the procedure.
As always, contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.