Gastric Bypass Surgery

Gastric Bypass surgery is very effective for weight loss however it is not suitable for everyone.

If you are overweight, have tried to lose weight and doing exercise, then your doctor may suggest gastric bypass surgery to assist with weight loss.

As with most bariatric procedures, these are recommended for patients with a high BMI, typically over 35, but it is imperative you book a consultation with Mr Siva Gounder to determine what course of bariatric surgery is best suited to you. Calculate your BMI here.

With any surgery there are possible risks, however major risks are under 4%.

It is possible bleeding or leaks from the staples could occur, or bowel obstruction. There is also the risk of ulcer in the anastomosis, a cause of dumping syndrome, or internal hernia risk.

It is possible to achieve a loss of up to 80-90% excess weight, however specific results will differ for each individual.

Please contact Mr Gounder for a consultation to find out how much weight you could lose.

The cost of bariatric surgery is dependent on variety of factors. On average the cost of surgery is around $20,000 to $25,000 without private health insurance.

The total out of pocket costs of various Bariatric surgeries (including surgeon fees, anaesthetist and surgical assistant) for patients with Private Health Insurance (that have obesity surgery cover) range from $900 to $4,500.

This is dependent on various factors including type of health fund cover, primary or revisional surgery, type of surgery and anticipated complexity and time taken for the operation. The exact cost for your specific operation will be provided to you in writing well in advance. Please contact the practice to get specific details.

It is important follow the specific guidelines provided to you prior to your surgery, this includes not eating or drinking anything the night before so the stomach is empty to minimalise surgical risks. You will be advised of any specific changes to medication and diet in the days or weeks before surgery if necessary.

During the first few weeks after surgery it is important to allow yourself time to recover. You will be following a new nutrition plan, and will not be eating normal foods in the first few weeks, only liquid. After this period you will transition to solid foods after a few weeks. You will be advised how to change your eating habits to stay healthy while losing weight. You will need to take vitamin and mineral supplements.

It is extremely important to follow the eating and drinking plan your surgeon provides you with.

You will need to have a follow up after your procedure to monitor your specific individual health needs and progress.

How long does Gastric Bypass surgery take?

Gastric Bypass Surgery takes approximately 90 – 120 minutes, depending on the patient’s physical conditions and if they have had any previous surgery. Patients are generally required to stay 2 nights in hospital for monitoring purposes.

How fast do you lose weight after Gastric Bypass surgery?

Generally, Gastric Bypass Surgery patients can expect to experience an 70% to 90% excess weight loss during their first year.