The goal of weight loss surgery is to reduce the body’s ability to absorb and store calories. This result is achieved by  using either restrictive or malabsorptive bariatric procedures.

Restrictive procedures reduce the size of the stomach, limiting the volume of food that can be consumed at one time. Restrictive procedures include vertical banded gastroplasty (VBG), adjustable gastric banding (AGB) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) – although gastric bypass is also malabsorptive as well.

Malabsorptive procedures reduce your body’s ability to store calories by diverting food away from the parts of your digestive system that absorb calories. Largely malabsorptive procedures include biliopancreatic diversion (BPD) and biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS).

While vertical banded gastroplasty has largely fallen out of favor, other procedures have proven effective for achieving and maintaining healthier weight.1 Each has also proven effective for reversing or minimizing weight-related health problems.1

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric bypass is the most common bariatric surgery performed in the United States.1 It offers a combination of both restrictive and malabsorptive procedures, which appears to be a very effective recipe for weight loss. Moreover, it is considered the gold standard surgical treatment.1

While gastric bypass is becoming more common, this elective surgery has serious risks. Potential complications after gastric bypass include leakage of the digestive tract, which requires re-operation and can cause death. Surgeons must have excellent visualization, dexterity and control to complete this technically challenging operation successfully.

The most common approach to gastric bypass is through a large abdominal incision. This approach generally provides adequate visualization and access, but causes patients significant pain and trauma. Laparoscopic gastric bypass can offer patients all the benefits of a minimally invasive procedure. However, laparoscopic gastric bypass has a long learning curve and requires specialized surgical skills. And because there are additional risks and challenges associated with operating on high-BMI patients, the majority of bariatric surgeons do not use this difficult technique.

Learn More

If your doctor recommends surgery to reduce your weight, you may be a candidate for da Vinci Gastric Bypass, potentially the most effective, least invasive surgery for weight loss.

Read more about  da Vinci ® Gastric Bypass.

  1. Johnson W, Demaria E. Surgical treatment of obesity. Curr Treat Options Gastroenterol. 2006 Apr;9(2):167-74.

While clinical studies support the effectiveness of the da Vinci® System when used in minimally invasive surgery, individual results may vary. Surgery with the da Vinci Surgical System may not be appropriate for every individual. Always ask your doctor about all treatment options, as well as their risks and benefits.

For additional information on minimally invasive surgery with the da Vinci® Surgical System visit www.davincisurgery.com