Gastric bypass surgery

Individuals suffering from morbid obesity undergo gastric bypass surgery.  When a person has been unable to sustain weight loss with appropriate diet and is affected by comorbid conditions, it leads to obesity. It can be life threatening and even affect the quality of life of the individual. Surgical procedure first involves division of stomach into a small pouch and large pouch and then positioning the small intestine to connect to both. The general term used for surgeries for morbid obesity is bariatric surgery. The surgery is usually painless since it is done under general anesthesia.  There are at least three types of gastric bypass surgeries:

Gastric by-pass Roux en-Y (proximal)

In this technique the small intestine is divided 45 cm below the lower stomach. It is then arranged in a Y intersection in the proximal end of the small intestine, enabling food outflow through a Roux limb.

Gastric by-pass Roux en-Y (distal)

In this technique the Y intersection is at the distal end of the small intestine. There is reduced absorption of fats and starches which are passed on to the large intestine.

Mini gastric bypass

MGB is a relatively new procedure and less invasive. The stomach is divided and detached from the esophagus. The detached portion of the stomach is stapled and stitched. About 2 to 7 feet of intestine is also bypassed and the new, smaller portion of the stomach attached to it.  Food is now received by this small stomach and continues its digestive process through the rest of the intestines.

Gastric band surgery

The gastric band operation reduces the capacity of the stomach with the help of a band. A small pouch is created in the upper stomach which can hold very little food. It is an adjustable gastric band, containing a circular balloon which is inflated. As you eat, the pouch fills up and the band restricts the passage of food to the lower part of the stomach.

Gastric sleeve surgery

Gastric sleeve surgery can be accomplished as an open surgery or a laparoscopic surgery. A large part of the stomach is removed leaving only a tube shaped gastric sleeve for a stomach. The detached stomach is closed with surgical staples.

Surgery for gastric ulcer

Peptic ulcers are caused by Helicobacter Pylori. A large gastric ulcer in the lining of the stomach presents with severe upper abdominal pain and vomiting. Quite often these ulcers heal by medication. These ulcers can bleed massively requiring transfusion of blood and sometimes surgery. Surgery for ulcers will be in the form of partial gastrectomy called as Gastric Surgery.

Surgery for duodenal ulcer

Duodenal ulcers can cause bleeding or sometimes gastric outlet obstruction causing persistent vomiting. An anastomosis between the stomach and the proximal loop is created for draining the contents of the stomach. Surgery for this ailment will be in the form of gastro-jejunostomy and truncal vagotomy

Surgery for cancer of the stomach

Cancer of the stomach is a very common ailment in southern India. Cancer of the stomach is in the form of a malignant tumor developing in the stomach. Stomach cancer is also called gastric cancer. These patients present with a varied presentation which includes weight loss, pain abdomen, vomiting or sometimes with no symptoms at all. An upper GI endoscopy is usually diagnostic. Cancer of the stomach will primarily require surgery in the form of partial,total gastrectomy or bypass followed by chemotherapy if necessary.

Surgery for corrosive injury of the stomach

Acid injury to the stomach due to accidental or suicidal ingestion of bathroom acid causes severe damage to the stomach, which will require emergency or elective surgery on the stomach like Bypass Gastric Surgery and

Gastric Sleeve Surgery

Fundoplication for hiatus hernia
Severe heartburn due to hiatus hernia will at times require surgical treatment in the form of a fundoplication to reconstruct a new valve at the junction between the food pipe and stomach.