If you need to lose a lot of weight fast, then gastric bypass surgery may be an option. Generally, it's only performed on patients who have a serious medical requirement to lose weight rapidly. There are in fact two different types of gastric bypass surgery commonly performed, so let's take a look at both types, and who is likely to benefit the most from each type.

A Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common form of gastric bypass surgery. It offers a good balance between the optimum level of weight loss and the least possible side effects. Effectively, the stomach is separated into two sections, using either staples or a band. The bottom part of the stomach is completely separated, so that it is no longer functional. The top section is reduced in size to approximately one ounce. Then this smaller section of the stomach is connected to the small intestine, bypassing the sealed off section of the stomach. Basically, reducing the size of the stomach in this way reduces the amount the patient can eat to approximately 1,000 calories a day or less. Most patients stop experiencing sensations of hunger, and these two factors combined lead to a large loss of weight.

This type of gastric bypass surgery involves making an incision across the abdomen, which enables the surgeon to lift up the skin and so have access to the stomach for reduction procedures. It's generally expected that a patient who undergoes Roux-en-y bypass surgery will lose as much as 80 per cent of their excess body weight within a year of the operation being performed. The surgery can also provide other benefits, including reduction in the incidence of back pain, sleep apnea, depression, type II diabetes and high blood pressure.

Bypass surgery can also be performed with a laparoscopic procedure. The surgeon makes much smaller incisions on the body, and then uses a tiny camera and tools to perform surgery on the digestive tract. The benefit of this method is that there is no big scar after the surgery is completed. Many patients find that they heal much faster after a laparoscopic procedure. Generally patients also stay in hospital for a shorter period, and the risk of infection is substantially reduced. This can be a great alternative for those who are at least 75 pounds overweight and suffering from diabetes, as well as people who are more than 100 pounds overweight and don't suffer any other medical issues related to their weight problem.

It's important to discuss the risks of any type of surgery with your surgeon before going ahead. Like any surgery, there is always a small risk of complications, including death. Because of this, you should only consider gastric bypass surgery if you have tried other, non-surgical methods of weight loss first. It should be considered your last option, not your first.