Jay Michael Snow, MD

Gastric Bypass

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Gastric Bypass

Gastric Bypass surgery offers patients the chance to take control of their health and improve their overall well-being. Dr. Jay Michael Snow and the team at St. Louis Bariatrics offer patient-centered care and comprehensive treatment plans for patients seeking to lose weight with gastric bypass surgery.

What is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric Bypass, also known as Roux en Y Gastric Bypass, is a bariatric surgery that is proven to be extremely effective for weight loss and the treatment of obesity related medical conditions.

Benefits of Weight Loss Surgery

  • For patients with Type 2 Diabetes, Gastric Bypass improves the disease in 95% of cases, with 80% of patients seeing a complete remission.1
  • Can often improve or cure obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)2
  • May improve or cure gastroesophageal reflux (GERD)3
  • Has been shown to improve fertility4
  • Improvement in additional health problems, such as hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart disease, as well as improvement in overall quality of life5

How Does Gastric Bypass Work?

Gastric Bypass is both malabsorptive and restrictive, meaning that the procedure restricts the amount of food a person can intake and also limits the amount of calories that the body absorbs from food that is eaten. During a gastric bypass, a small upper stomach pouch is created that is separated from the lower portion of the stomach. Part of the small intestine is then rerouted and a portion of it goes up to the new stomach pouch. After a gastric bypass the digestive system works differently—the food that is eaten goes down one limb of the Y connection and the digestive juices made by the stomach, liver, and pancreas travel down the other limb of the Y connection. By the time the food meets the digestive juices, the majority of the stomach and small intestine have been bypassed. This leaves very little time for the calories that were consumed to be absorbed.

Dr. Snow is skilled in the latest surgical advancements and uses laparoscopic techniques to minimize scarring and recovery time. Laparoscopic surgery utilizes a tiny camera and very small incisions which results in less postoperative pain, fewer narcotics used, a shorter hospital stay, and quicker return to activities of daily living.6

Preparing for Surgery

Scheduling a consultation appointment at St. Louis Bariatrics is the first step in reclaiming your health. At your consultation, our team will discuss your goals and concerns, review your medical history, and perform an exam to determine if gastric bypass is right for you. You’ll have an opportunity to ask any questions and learn more about your weight loss options. If you are a candidate, we will give you more information about pre-surgical diets and next steps.

What to Expect on Surgery Day

You will receive general anesthesia so you will be “asleep” during your gastric bypass procedure. Our team will check in with you before your procedure to answer any last minute questions and make sure you are ready. Surgery usually takes about 2 hours to complete and gastric bypass patients typically stay one to two nights in the hospital after surgery.

Recovery After Gastric Bypass

The recovery time for Gastric Bypass varies, but most patients can expect to resume regular activities within two weeks. Patients will be prescribed dietary guidelines to follow in the weeks after surgery, and will be scheduled for follow up appointments. Dr. Snow and the team at St. Louis Bariatrics will be available to support you on your path to a healthier lifestyle.

Plan Your Gastric Bypass Procedure

  • Covered by Insurance: Yes
  • Financing Available: Yes
  • Average Self-Pay Cost*: $22,600
  • Minimally Invasive: Yes
  • Non-Surgical: No
  • Average Procedure Time: 2.5 hours
  • Typical Hospital Stay: 1 to 2 nights
  • Typical Recovery Time: 7 to 10 days

Are You A Candidate for Gastric Bypass Surgery?

If your past attempts at losing weight have been unsuccessful and you have a BMI over 30 then you may be a candidate for Gastric Bypass. At St. Louis Bariatrics we offer a range of weight loss options, including sleeve gastrectomy and medical weight loss plans, so we can recommend a treatment plan that is right for you. The best way to learn about your options and figure out if you are a candidate is to schedule a consultation appointment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Gastric Bypass Surgery

What kind of weight loss results can I expect after gastric bypass?

The average Gastric Bypass patient loses up to 70% of their excess body weight.7 Many patients are able to reduce or discontinue prescription medications for obesity-related conditions. Your individual results will depend on your medical history and your ability to commit to a new lifestyle that includes regular physical activity and a healthy diet.

Will insurance cover gastric bypass?

Yes, in many cases! Insurance companies offer varying coverage for weight loss surgery and it can be difficult to figure out what your plan covers. When you use our free insurance check our insurance experts will let you know if your plan will cover gastric bypass surgery. We also offer finance options for out-of-pocket costs.

What are the risks of gastric bypass surgery?

Every surgical procedure has some risk of side effects or complications, such as infection or blood clots. Fortunately, gastric bypass is generally considered to be a safe and effective procedure. The most common short-term side effects, such as grogginess from anesthesia and tenderness at incision sites, are temporary. Long-term side effects such as bowel obstruction, hernia, or ulcers, are rare.
Read more about the safety of weight loss surgery.

What will I eat after gastric bypass?

In the immediate days after surgery, you will follow a liquid diet and progress back to common foods. Our Registered Dietitian will guide you in your post-op diet. After you are fully recovered you’ll be able to eat many of your favorite foods again, with a focus on lean protein and unprocessed foods. Since you’ll be eating fewer calories overall, we will recommend supplements to ensure you get enough vitamins and calcium.
Get our Healthy eating tips and take a look at Healthy recipes from our bariatric dietitian

What will life be like after gastric bypass?

One of the most common things we hear from patients after bariatric surgery is, “I wish I did this sooner!” Patients report feeling healthier and more confident; they are able to do more of what they love in life. Of course, weight loss success does require a commitment to life-long lifestyle changes. Patients should plan on staying active after surgery. Our team is here to help, with information on support groups and ways to stay connected.

Contact St. Louis Bariatrics

If you’re struggling with obesity and related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, you don’t have to face these challenges alone. Dr. Snow is an experienced and compassionate bariatric surgeon who has helped many patients start living the healthy, active life that they deserve. The first step is scheduling a consultation with Dr. Snow, who will walk you through your options and help you make the best decision for you.
Contact us to Schedule Your Consultation or join us for a free seminar


References:
1 American Society for Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery. Surgery for Diabetes. Available: https://asmbs.org/patients/surgery-for-diabetes Accessed November 1, 2022

2 Priyadarshini P, Singh VP, Aggarwal S, Garg H, Sinha S, Guleria R. Impact of bariatric surgery on obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome in morbidly obese patients. J Minim Access Surg. 2017 Oct-Dec;13(4):291-295. doi: 10.4103/jmas.JMAS_5_17. PMID: 28872099; PMCID: PMC5607797.

3 Ashrafi D, Osland E, Memon MA. Bariatric surgery and gastroesophageal reflux disease. Ann Transl Med. 2020 Mar;8(Suppl 1):S11. doi: 10.21037/atm.2019.09.15. PMID: 32309415; PMCID: PMC7154328.

4Shah DK, Ginsburg ES. Bariatric surgery and fertility. Curr Opin Obstet Gynecol. 2010 Jun;22(3):248-54. doi: 10.1097/GCO.0b013e3283373be9. PMID: 20124898.

5Suter M, Calmes JM, Paroz A, Romy S, Giusti V. Results of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass in morbidly obese vs superobese patients: similar body weight loss, correction of comorbidities, and improvement of quality of life. Arch Surg. 2009;144(4):312‐318. doi:10.1001/archsurg.2009.19.

6Sundbom M. Laparoscopic revolution in bariatric surgery. World J Gastroenterol. 2014 Nov 7;20(41):15135-43. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v20.i41.15135. PMID: 25386062; PMCID: PMC4223247.

7Obesity Reporter. https://obesityreporter.com/gastric-bypass/expected-weight-loss/ Expected Weight Loss: Gastric Bypass. Available: Accessed November 1, 2022

Dr. Jay Snow has either authored or reviewed and approved this content.

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