Overview
Mini gastric bypass surgery is also known as sleeve gastric bypass surgery or a mini gastric surgical procedure. Gastric bypass surgery literally bypasses the bulk of the stomach and encourages massive weight loss in obese individuals. Mini gastric bypass surgery is performed using a laparoscopic approach, meaning minimally invasive techniques and procedures. Also called a loop gastric bypass, this technique engages loop reconstruction and updates the traditional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure, reducing the size of the stomach and creating a new connection between the small bowel or intestine to the stomach, limiting intake of food, slower digestion and reduced absorption of fats and calories.

Mini Sleeve Gastric Bypass Surgery
The many sleeve gastric bypass surgical procedure is relatively simple and involves a small number (usually less than five) of short incisions (1 inch or less).  The procedure involves laparoscopic surgery, which results in less tissue damage and shorter healing time. The laparoscope is a small camera attached to the end of  a long, thin tube that enables the surgeon to view the internal organs structure via a monitor that looks much like a computer screen.

Making very small movements with surgical tools, the surgeon will staple the stomach into a long and narrow tube. A majority of the stomach will be partitioned off to create a smaller pouch which enables individuals to feel full faster and to reduce food consumption. The smallest portion of the stomach is then attached to small intestine about 6 inches lower along the length of the intestine than where the stomach is normally attached.

In most cases, this surgical procedure can be performed in less than an hour. The smaller portion of stomach and the tube that now leads to the small intestine causes the food to digest more slowly, in addition to reducing the number of calories and fat absorbed by the small intestine than otherwise. Individuals undergoing a mini sleeve gastric bypass procedure will be required to maintain a limited and adequate diet for long-term success and effectiveness.

Who Benefits from Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery?
Mini gastric bypass surgery is typically reserved for those who are more than 75 pounds overweight and have a body mass index of 40 to 50 or 35 to 39 with a life threatening co morbidity factor.  Individuals who are considered obese and have constantly struggled with weight using traditional dieting and exercise methodology ease without long-term success are excellent candidates for in many gastric surgical procedure. Such procedures enable individuals to achieve weight loss, enjoy greater health benefits, enhanced mobility and increased quality of life.

What Does It Cost?
In the United States, gastric bypass surgery using the Roux-en-Y technique may cost as much as $25,000 or more. Some insurance companies in the United States now cover gastric bypass surgery, but most don't. Medical tourists traveling to foreign destinations discover that gastric bypass surgery costs much less. For example, the same technique performed in India costs roughly $16,500, while in medical travel destinations in South America, costs may hover around $10,000 and often time include all-inclusive stay benefits. A mini gastric bypass procedure performed in the U.S. costs approximately $20,000 to $35,000, while visitors to India may pay approximately $9,000 and travelers to Costa Rica may pay an average of $13,500.

Who Performs Gastric Bypass Surgery?
A bariatric surgeon with knowledge and experience in laparoscopy techniques and procedures performs gastric bypass surgery. Patients should check on the credentials and training of their physician, surgeon, and hospital facility of their choice. Bariatric surgeons should be trained, certified, and experienced in a variety of gastric bypass surgery procedures, techniques, and treatments, and be members of bariatric surgical associations, organizations or societies in their country of origin or internationally accredited associations and organizations.