The gastric bypass is a surgical operation that results in enhanced satiety after a small meal. There is a marked reduction in the size of the stomach to a small stomach pouch. None of the stomach is actually removed. The food then passes through the intestine, but the lower part of the intestine is in contact with food much earlier than usual, because as the initial half meter of the intestine has been bypassed.

Side effects
A side effect of the gastric bypass operation is what is called ‘dumping’, which gives you a light-headed feeling, nausea and occasionally diarrhoea. This happens in response to overeating very sweet foods such as chocolate.

Who can have a gastric bypass?
The gastric bypass operation is generally suitable for all patients and achieves excellent results. It is starting to become a surgical ‘treatment of choice’.

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