When Was Gastric Bypass Surgery Invented?

Gastric bypass is a form of weight loss surgery that assists an individual in losing a significant amount of weight by removing a portion of the upper intestines and stomach. It is recommended for severely obese patients who are in mortal jeopardy due to their size. While gastric bypass is considered a high-risk surgery due to the number of potential complications, for almost 50 years it has helped myriad patients reduce their weight and their risk for developing obesity-related conditions like diabetes and stroke.

History

• Gastric bypass surgery was invented in 1967 by Dr. Edward Mason, a clinical physician at the University of Iowa Hospital. The original procedure was inspired by the contemporary process used to remove stomach ulcers, which removed the portion of the stomach where the ulcer was to cure it. Mason noted that patients who had undergone this procedure lost a significant amount of weight over the first six to 18 months post operation, and translated the procedure to maximize the costs.

Evolution

• The method of gastric bypass has evolved over the past 40 years to address several of the issues Dr. Mason experienced in the early days of the procedure. For example, the original form of gastric bypass left a large stomach susceptible to bile and acid reflux. However today, the size of the stomach is significantly reduced to no bigger than that of a hard-boiled egg, and is routed into the intestines so as to reduce this uncomfortable side effect. Similarly, the original form of gastric bypass resulted in poor protein in nutrient absorption due to the part of the intestines it bypassed, however modern gastric bypass has identified this problem and now incorporates the main absorption channel of the intestine into the restructured digestive tract.

Risks

• In spite of the many improvements made upon the method over the past few decades, gastric bypass still remains a risky procedure that can result in a variety of complications, ranging from nutrient deficiencies to death. According to the Mayo Clinic, one out of every 300 procedures results in death due to complications. Also, gastric bypass patients have a high risk of developing Dumping Syndrome, the digestive disorder that occurs when too much fat is ingested into the system, as well as blood clots in the legs are also common complications.

Benefits

• For many patients, the benefits associated with gastric bypass surgery remain worth the risk. Just as Dr. Mason noted almost 50 years ago, patients can lose major amounts of weight thanks to the procedure, commonly between 100 and several hundred pounds. Patients who suffer from type II diabetes often find that their condition goes into remission after the procedure due to the combination of losing so much weight and removing a portion of the intestines which is the most insulin resistant. The surgery can also relieve pressure on joints, reduce back strain, and extend the lifespan of patients by an estimated 30 to 40 years.

Modern Use

• While gastric bypass remained popular through the 1990s and early 2000s, within the past five years gastric banding, an alternative form of weight loss surgery, has become more popular. Banding is now more often utilized by medical professionals due to the fact that it is a safer procedure. Instead of making a large incision and removing a significant portion of the digestive tract, gastric banding helps an individual whose weight by cinching the upper stomach to help the feel full sooner, resulting in a steady loss of around two pounds per week without the severe complications of gastric bypass.