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Gastric bypass surgery is one of the methods of bariatric surgery. Roux-Y bypass surgery is the most common and most studied bariatric surgery in the world. Bariatric surgery significantly impacts a patient’s dietary preferences and habits. After the surgery, patients achieve a sense of fullness and satiety with much smaller portions of food than before. As a result, body weight begins to decrease and several associated health conditions improve, such as type II diabetes, sleep apnoea, high blood cholesterol levels, hypertension, joint pain and other obesity-related diseases. Bariatric surgery is currently the most effective method with lasting results for treating obesity, significantly improving quality of life and extending life expectancy.
What is gastric bypass surgery?
During a bypass surgery, a new small stomach is created from the upper part of the stomach, with a volume of only 20–30 mL. This limits the amount of food you can eat. In addition to reducing the size of the stomach, the digestive tract is altered after the bypass surgery. After the surgery, food moves from the oesophagus to the small stomach and directly into the small intestine. Food bypasses a large part of the stomach and 100–150 cm of the initial part of the small intestine, hence the name ‘bypass’. The larger portion of the stomach and the initial part of the small intestine are excluded from the food’s path but are still connected to the digestive system. Through the new connection, gastric juice, bile and pancreatic enzymes are directed into the small intestine at a later stage of digestion than usual. Therefore, food comes into contact with digestive juices later, leading to a phenomenon called malabsorption, or reduced absorption of nutrients. In addition to various vitamins and minerals, the absorption of proteins and fats is also reduced to some extent, so the body gets less energy (calories) from food. During the surgery, no organs or parts of them are removed and in the future it is possible to restore the previous anatomy.
How does gastric bypass surgery work?
The bypass surgery works in several ways. Like other bariatric procedures, a new smaller stomach is created that holds less food. This means that after bypass surgery, a person will feel full with a smaller amount of food. Additionally, food does not come into contact with the first part of the small intestine, resulting in reduced absorption of energy (calories) from food. A significant effect is that by altering the digestive system, there is a general reduction in hunger, increased feelings of fullness, and the ability to achieve and maintain a lower body weight.
Effects on hormones and metabolic health lead to the alleviation of some comorbidities even before significant weight loss occurs. The surgery can also help patients with reflux (heartburn) and symptoms related to this usually subside quite quickly.
Bypass surgery – expected weight loss
Gastric bypass surgery leads to rapid weight loss in the first six months. Usually, the final weight is reached 18 to 24 months after the bypass surgery. During this time, the average bariatric surgery patient loses 70-85% of excess body weight. Studies have shown that more than five years after the surgery, the average weight loss is still about 50-70% of the excess weight. Some bypass patients may experience a 5-10% weight regain of the lost weight. Achieving and maintaining a permanent and long-term lower body weight also depends significantly on the patient’s personal commitment. It is important to make the necessary healthy lifestyle changes to ensure that diet and exercise habits align with specialist recommendations.
Which patients should consider bypass surgery?
* Patients with a body mass index of at least 30 kg/m2.
* Patients who suffer from reflux disease or type 2 diabetes.
* Bypass surgery is especially suitable for those whose main dietary issue is excessive sugar consumption.
Calculate your body mass index
Surgery information
| Surgeon | Dr Rein Adamson / dr Martin Adamson / dr Sven Troost |
| Indications by body mass index | BMI from 30, depending on comorbidities |
| Anaesthesia | General anaesthesia |
| Surgery duration | 1-1,5 hours |
| Nights spent in hospital | 1-2 |
| Necessary time of rest | 2 weeks |
| Expected weight loss | 70-80% excess weight |
| Advantages |
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| Disadvantages |
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Reversible surgery | YES |
| Price | 6500 € |
| Payment in instalments | From €146 per month. Apply for instalment payments here. |
Test your suitability
Advantages of bypass surgery
- Suitable for almost all patients
- Effective surgery for the treatment of reflux disease
- Good likelihood of type 2 diabetes relief (in 60% of cases)
- There are extensive studies and long-term experience on the effects and long-term outcomes of the surgery
- The former anatomy can be restored
Disadvantages of bypass surgery
- More technically complex than sleeve surgery
- Potential for vitamin and mineral deficiencies
- Clinically, there are more issues with iron deficiency and related anaemia
- There is a risk of bowel obstruction that requires surgical treatment (1–2% of patients)
- Risk of developing stomach ulcers, especially with regular painkiller use and smoking
- Higher risk of dumping syndrome compared to sleeve surgery
- Potential increased risk of alcoholism
What is included in the price
- Service and support from an English-speaking patient coordinator throughout the entire process.
- You will be supported by experienced English-speaking medical professionals, surgeons, and additionally specialists, including a bariatric nurse, a dietitian, and a therapist specializing in solution-focused brief therapy.
- Remote consultation with a surgeon in English before the surgery (30 min) (paid separately but deducted from the surgery cost).
- Consultation with a bariatric nurse before the surgery and during the hospital stay.
- Support from the bariatric nurse throughout the process as needed, flexibly for two years after surgery. Later, there is the possibility to contact them if any questions arise.
- Nutrition counseling with a licensed dietitian before surgery and at 3, 12 months after surgery (online or by phone).
- All transfers between Tallinn’s port, airport, hotel, and hospital.
- One-night stay in a central Tallinn hotel before the surgery if necessary.
- Blood tests and examinations related to the surgery before the operation and if necessary afterward (before discharge from the hospital).
- Surgery and laparoscopic stomach examination under anesthesia, performed by an experienced surgeon in a modern and comfortable private hospital. Support from a bariatric nurse upon arrival at the hospital and as needed during hospitalization. Nutrition counseling before discharge.
- All costs related to the surgery and hospital stay (usually one night, if necessary, two nights). The possibility to spend a second night in a high-quality central hotel if the patient’s condition allows.
- Written post-surgery care and nutrition instructions. A medical report in English.
- Follow-up call from the surgeon after discharge.
- Bariatric nurse contact via email at 1.5 weeks, 1 month, 6 months, 12 months, and 24 months after surgery. The possibility to contact the bariatric nurse flexibly via email and to arrange a phone consultation if needed.
- Blood tests related to nutritional monitoring before surgery and three times after surgery in Estonia. If needed, also the possibility of a follow-up visit with the surgeon and consultation with the bariatric nurse.
- Two consultations with a solution-focused brief therapy therapist to strengthen lifestyle changes within two years after surgery (one 45-minute session before surgery, recommended one session within six months post-surgery).
- Treatment of possible complications, provided the treatment is performed at the same hospital where the surgery was conducted. Discounted prices at our clinic for post-bariatric plastic surgery (abdominal, arm, thigh, and breast surgery).
- Active support and follow-up before surgery and for two years after the operation. Final summary and recommendations. The possibility to always contact our clinic, even after two years, if any questions arise.
