While there are two primary methodologies within the world of gastric bypass surgery, the original method, called the ?loop? method. Having been practiced in the 1960s, this method is now commonly avoided because of better advances in research and medicine. Right now, the most common gastric bypass method is known as the Proximal, or Roux en-Y system.

As with any gastric bypass method, with Proximal, or Roux en-Y gastric bypass surgery, food intake is significantly restricted due to the mechanical limitations of the stomach.

With this surgery, a small pouch of a stomach is created and essentially closed off from the rest of the stomach. As you take in food, it moves into this tiny pouch and then on to the ?Roux limb? of the small bowel which is created during surgery. This allows the food to bypass the rest of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. With this re-routing of the intestinal tract, the body is unable to absorb as many calories as previously done. This allows the body to lose weight at a rapid pace.

Finally, the remaining gastric bypass method is known as the biliopancreatic diversion. This method is used less frequently and is rather complicated. With the biliopancreatic diversion , portions of the stomach are literally removed from the GI tract. A tiny pouch of remaining stomach is then directly connected to the end section of the small bowel. Since this method bypasses the remaining intestine there are less calories absorbed and weight loss occurs.

The gastric bypass methods used today are important advances in the field of surgical medicine and have helped thousands of people who previously suffered with obesity to lose the weight with which they struggled for years. No, it is not a quick fix, but in some cases, the gastric bypass methods are life-saving alternatives to continuing to haul around the excess pounds.