TMini-gastric bypass is a quicker operation compared to traditional laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery. Operating times are reduced, on average by 50 minutes.

Procedural steps:

1. The stomach is divided with a laparoscopic stapler. Most of the stomach is no longer attached to the esophagus and will no longer receive food. Your new stomach is much smaller and shaped like a small tube.
2. Between 2 to 7 feet of intestines are bypassed. The surgeon will attach the remainder of the intestines to the new stomach.
3. Food now flows into your small tube-like stomach and then bypasses between 2 to 7 feet of intestines where it resumes the normal digestive process in you’re the remaining intestine.

Benefits of mini gastric bypass compared to gastric bypass surgery

1. Shorter operating time.
2. Less re-routing of the intestines.
3. One fewer anastomosis (connection of intestines).
4. Technically easier for the surgeon.
5. Similar weight loss and recovery.

Additional risks with mini-gastric by pass compared to gastric bypass

1. Severe acid-reflux. Because the pouch is small and the remainder of the stomach is still connected to the intestines. It is possible for gastric juices to travel down the intestines and into the new pouch.
2. As it is pure malabsorption procedure if you don’t follow vitamin & diet supplements chance of malnutrition, osteoporosis and vitamin deficiencies are higher.

Recovery

After surgery you will have some belly pain, particularly at your incision sites. The incision sites, typically 5, are between 5mm and 12mm in length. This is where the surgeon inserted ports to access your abdomen. You will typically be required to stay overnight in the hospital. Occasionally patients are kept an additional day for observation.

Once you are home, you’ll be required to follow a strict diet. A liquid diet (soft food) is usually required for the first two weeks after surgery. This may include protein shakes, water, pureed soft foods, and soup. Follow the instructions from your surgeon. After two weeks, soft foods are introduced. And after a month you’ll be back to normal foods.