The MGB is performed using laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery under general anaesthesia. The operation takes between 60 and 90 minutes and involves a 2 or 3 night stay in hospital.
In the first part of the operation the stomach is divided to create the new mini stomach. This is the restrictive part of the procedure meaning that only a small amount of food can be taken at any one time.
Next, a loop of intestine is joined to the lower part of the mini stomach. This join is called an anastamosis.
Food passes from the mini stomach into the small intestine where it meets digestive juices that have moved downwards from the main stomach. This means that around 2-4m of small intestine is bypassed. This is the hormone altering part of the procedure.
