What is Mini Gastric Bypass?
One of the most common surgeries for treating obesity is the mini gastric bypass.
Medically, mini gastric bypass is a surgical technique where the surgeon creates a long, narrow gastric tube along the curvature of the stomach, which is then sutured to a long loop of the jejunum positioned above the mesocolon.
This procedure primarily alters the relationship between diet and digestion, reducing hunger and limiting nutrient absorption in the body.
For more details on how mini gastric bypass functions and the post-operative dietary guidelines, refer to previous articles on our blog. Here, we’ll focus on another essential topic: pre-operative examinations.
Mini Gastric Bypass and Pre-Operative Assessments
Before undergoing bariatric surgery, patients must complete a series of medical evaluations. These tests assess the patient’s overall health and identify any specific conditions. Based on these assessments, the surgeon can determine the most suitable type of procedure to achieve the desired outcome. The preparatory evaluations serve two main purposes: identifying possible contraindications to the chosen surgery type and planning each stage of treatment to avoid unexpected issues.
Let’s take a closer look at some pre-operative examinations for mini gastric bypass, which may also apply to other bariatric surgeries:
- Urine and Blood Tests: A standard preparatory test is a urine analysis, typically accompanied by blood tests and hormonal evaluations. These tests ensure that no further assessments are needed to identify the cause of obesity, such as an endocrinological examination.
- Cardiac and Respiratory Evaluations: Special attention is given to cardiac and respiratory functions, as these can be significantly impacted by obesity. Therefore, patients undergo both a cardiology consultation and a chest X-ray.
- Digestive Health Assessments: Additional preparatory evaluations include tests on the health of the digestive system and abdomen. An esophagogastroduodenoscopy is usually performed to identify any ulcers, gastritis, or other conditions. An abdominal ultrasound is also conducted to confirm that there are no obesity-related issues affecting the abdominal area.
Interested in Learning More About Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery?
Schedule an informational appointment with Dr. Marco Anselmino, Specialist in Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery.
