A gastric bypass is an operation whereby the stomach or part of it is bypassed by diverting fluids around it. It is quite a serious surgery and requires general anaesthetic and the patient to stay in hospital over night. A gastric bypass is not the same as a stomach staple or other forms of weight loss surgery.

There are a number of reasons why gastric bypass surgery will be performed. These might include acute gastritis which is an inflammatory reaction of the stomach to certain irritants or bacteria. There may also be atrophic gastritis whereby acid and pepsin secreting cells are reduced or absent. This disease is very common in those over the age of fifty.

Another serious illness of the stomach that can lead to complications is stomach cancer. Most stomach problems are strongly linked to food and diet. Eating healthy foods such as fresh fruit and vegetables can significantly reduce your risk of suffering from any of the above.