About gastric bypass surgery (general)

Gastric bypass surgery is an operation to lose weight permanently in cases of severe overweight and obesity.

Do you want to know if you qualify for gastric bypass surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery allows you to eat less and be less hungry, and that makes you lose weight. Often even more than 70% of your excess weight. All surgeries take place under general anesthesia. So that means you are deeply asleep during the procedure. Therefore, you don’t notice anything about the whole operation.

The procedure takes about an hour. All surgeries at WeightWorks are performed with “keyhole surgery. So the whole operation is done through 5 or 6 small 2-centimeter openings. As a result, the wounds are small and you have less pain. Most people return home the day after surgery.

Do you qualify for gastric bypass surgery?

The most important thing is your weight. This usually involves looking at BodyMass Index (BMI). That is your weight in relation to your height. Furthermore, you must be over 18 years old, have made serious weight loss attempts before, and you must not have any addictions. (Smoking is allowed but preferably not). We also look at your eating habits and whether there are no psychological reasons to forgo surgery. Do the Quick Scan to see if you qualify.

BMI higher than 40:

You have Obesity Class 3, very severe obesity. Then stomach reduction is almost always a good idea.

BMI lower than 40 but above 35:

You have Obesity class 2, severe obesity. We’ll see if you have any additional diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes, sleep apnea, high cholesterol, joint problems or other conditions associated with your obesity. If this is the case, then you are eligible for surgery.

BMI between 30 and 35:

You have Obesity Class 1: Only if you have poorly controlled diabetes do you qualify for reimbursement at this BMI. If you don’t get reimbursed but still want a stomach reduction, you can. You don’t have to go to Turkey or Belgium for that. You must then pay the cost yourself. Ask us about options and costs.

BMI below 30 but above 25:

You are overweight. You are not eligible for surgery. There are other methods of losing weight, though: Consider a lifestyle regimen, medication or a gastric balloon. There are often fees associated with this. Ask us about the possibilities.

An operation to lose weight?

There are many variations of gastric reduction surgery, but all of them involve the stomach and often the small intestine. There are three operations most commonly performed in the Netherlands. Consequently, the three operations have the most experience and the best results. The following is a brief description of the various interventions

Treatment

Gastric Bypass

(gastric bypass)

A gastric bypass or stomach bypass is an operation in which the stomach is reduced in size and the digestive tract rerouted. People with gastric bypass lose an average of 70 percent of their excess weight.

Treatment

Gastric Sleeve

(Tube stomach)

A Gastric Sleeve or tube stomach is an operation in which part of the stomach is closed with staples and then removed. With that, the stomach becomes about ¾ smaller. What remains is a tube stomach as thick as your thumb on the inside. Not much food will fit in there anymore. Removing part of the stomach decreases the feeling of hunger.

Treatment

Mini Gastric Bypass

(gastric bypass)

The Mini Gastric Bypass is a variation of the classic Gastric Bypass in which a small part of the stomach is cast off. The stomach reservoir is slightly longer to prevent bile from flowing back into the esophagus and the rest of the stomach just stays in place.

Learn more about:

A stomach reduction surgery is basically reimbursed from your basic package. That means your health insurance company will pay for the surgery if you meet the requirements. You do pay your own deductible each year.

Although the risks of our operations are low, it is not completely harmless. Therefore, it is important to know the risks in advance so you can make a good decision. Check out our overview of the criteria you must meet.

Do you want to know if you qualify for gastric bypass surgery?

Follow these steps:

  • Step 1

Do the Quick Scan

Complete the Quick Scan and quickly find out if you are a candidate for gastric bypass surgery.

  • Step 2

Going through your journey

You will go through the process from screening to the guidance of a Lifestyle coach in the after process.

  • Step 3

Go through life healthy

Now it’s up to you! Together with one of our lifestyle coaches, you will maintain a healthy lifestyle and have the most results and enjoyment from your gastric reduction.