Gastric Bypass Surgery in Mérida

Dr. Montserrat Monroy · Board-Certified Bariatric Surgeon (CMCG)
Last medical review: July 2026

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is a bariatric and metabolic surgery generally performed laparoscopically. It creates a small stomach pouch and connects it directly to a more distal portion of the small intestine.

This changes the amount of food that can be eaten, the speed at which food reaches the intestine, and several hormonal signals related to hunger, fullness, and metabolism.

In addition to supporting meaningful and sustained weight loss, gastric bypass may improve obesity-related conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and obstructive sleep apnea.

Benefits of Gastric Bypass Surgery

For appropriately selected patients, potential benefits may include:

• Significant and sustained weight loss with long-term follow-up.
• Improved blood glucose control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
• Better control of high blood pressure and cholesterol or triglyceride abnormalities.
• Improvement in obstructive sleep apnea and other obesity-related conditions.
• Reduced cardiometabolic risk associated with obesity.
• An important option for selected patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and obesity requiring surgical treatment.
• Improved quality of life, mobility, and ability to be physically active.

Benefits and risks must be reviewed individually. Long-term outcomes also depend on nutrition, physical activity, and postoperative follow-up.

Who Is a Candidate for Gastric Bypass?

Bariatric surgery is not indicated by weight alone. A comprehensive assessment includes BMI, obesity-related conditions, medical and surgical history, eating patterns, medications, nutritional status, and each patient's goals and expectations.

In general, gastric bypass may be considered for people with:

• A BMI of 35 kg/m² or higher, including those without obesity-related conditions.
• A BMI of 30 to 34.9 kg/m² with metabolic disease related to obesity when non-surgical treatment has not achieved an adequate result.
• Obesity associated with type 2 diabetes, hypertension, sleep apnea, dyslipidemia, fatty liver disease, or other related conditions.

Gastric bypass may be particularly appropriate for selected patients with GERD, depending on their anatomy and clinical evaluation. The final decision follows an individualized assessment. Learn about general bariatric surgery candidacy criteria.

How Is Gastric Bypass Performed?

The procedure is usually performed laparoscopically through small abdominal incisions.

During surgery:

1. A small pouch is created in the upper part of the stomach.
2. The pouch is connected to a portion of the small intestine.
3. A second intestinal connection is created to restore digestive flow.
4. The surgical connections are checked for safety and leaks.

The stomach and intestine are not removed. The stomach continues to produce digestive secretions, while food follows a new route. Surgery time varies according to anatomy, prior operations, and any additional procedures needed.

How Long Is Recovery After Gastric Bypass?

Recovery is progressive. Most patients stay in the hospital for about one to two nights, depending on their recovery and the hospital protocol.

After discharge, the care plan includes:

• Staged nutrition supervised by the medical and nutrition team.
• Walking from the early postoperative period, as medically advised.
• A gradual return to daily activities, work, and exercise.
• Lifelong vitamin and mineral supplementation, together with periodic testing to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Surgical recovery is only the beginning. Long-term medical, nutritional, and metabolic follow-up is essential for maintaining health and results.

Gastric Bypass or Gastric Sleeve?

There is no operation that is best for every patient. The choice depends on BMI, type 2 diabetes, GERD, eating patterns, surgical history, medications, and metabolic goals.

Gastric sleeve can be an excellent option for some patients; for others, gastric bypass offers important advantages, particularly when GERD or certain metabolic conditions are present. Compare gastric sleeve and gastric bypass.

The operation should be chosen for the patient, not the patient for the operation.

Does Gastric Bypass Help With Type 2 Diabetes?

Gastric bypass has documented metabolic effects. During the assessment consultation, Dr. Monroy will determine whether this procedure is appropriate for each patient with type 2 diabetes.