The most common gastric bypass surgery is a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.
In a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples or a plastic band. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum).

This procedure can be done by making a large incision in the abdomen (an open procedure) or by making a small incision and using small instruments and a camera to guide the surgery – laparoscopic approach. You will probably stay in the hospital a shorter time and recover more quickly after laparoscopy, compared to open surgery. The biggest benefit of laparoscopic surgery is reduced pain. You will also have smaller scars and a lower risk of developing hernias.