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What is gastric bypass surgery used for in obesity treatment?

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Close-up of hands using a measuring tape to measure the waist circumference of an obese man wearing a white shirt and beige pants. — obesity The excessive accumulation of body fat can cause serious medical conditions.

Gastric bypass is a surgical procedure used to treat severe obesity by creating permanent changes in the digestive process. The operation typically involves reducing the size of the stomach and reconnecting it to bypass the first portion of the small intestine.12

This procedure serves two primary functions in weight management:
* Restricting food intake: By creating a smaller stomach pouch, the amount of food a person can consume at one time is limited.21
* Reducing caloric absorption: By bypassing a section of the small intestine, the body absorbs fewer calories from the food consumed.2

While lifestyle modifications like diet and exercise are foundational to managing obesity, surgery is considered when long-term weight control is necessary. Gastric bypass is effective for both adults and teenagers, offering potentially lifelong benefits, particularly when paired with behavioral changes regarding physical activity and eating habits.1