Mini Gastric Bypass

Mini Gastric bypass (MGB) is a shorter and simpler type of laparoscopic gastric bypass procedure designed for weight loss. The entire procedure takes only about half an hour and the patient can walk out of the hospital just 24 hrs after the operation. In the MGB procedure, the size of the stomach is reduced dramatically. The major reduction in the size of the stomach in turn facilitates the phenomenal weight loss. The surgery is done by laparoscopic method. Small incisions are made instead of a large abdominal incision made in case of a regular gastric bypass. The MGB involves creation of a long gastric pouch and connecting new stomach to the side of the small intestine bypassing 6 feet of it.

During the course of normal digestion, the food we eat the goes through the food pipe into the stomach and then enters the small intestine, where most of the nutrients and calories are absorbed. The remaining waste is eventually excreted, after the food passes into the large intestine (colon).Through MGB surgery the food is allowed to bypass part of small intestine besides making the stomach size smaller. Therefore, people who undergo this surgery tend to feel full more quickly than when their stomach were original size. This reduces the amount of food that they eat and also the calorie intake. This causes weight loss.

One of the most important benefits of MGB is that it can be reversed unlike most of the other Bariatric procedures. It has proven to be able to produce long term weight loss and has much less amount of pain associated with the procedure .The cost MGB is lower than other bariatic surgeries. It is simpler operation with fewer staples lines. Although the surgery is very safe, all major surgery involves some degree of risk. Some of the possible problems that may occur are leak, bowel, obstruction, blood clot, and pneumonia.  MGB patients must also be monitored for calcium deficiencies.

Individuals who are interested to undergo MGB should be aware that it is newer procedure and not widely accepted. Many bariatric surgeons are concerned about the relative safety of the procedure, including the possibility of bile reflux which can lead to severe ulceration of both the stomach and the esophagus. Patients must carefully research each procedure and discuss the options with a qualified bariatric surgeon then decide for themselves which procedure is appropriate for them. As MGB involves  pre-operative, intra-operative and post-operative care, it is very important to choose the prospective  surgeon carefully.