Gastric bypass surgery is a common type of bariatric surgery that involves creating a small pouch in the stomach and bypassing a portion of the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food that can be eaten and absorbed by the body, leading to weight loss. During the procedure, the surgeon will create a small pouch in the upper part of the stomach using staples or a plastic band. The pouch will be about the size of an egg and will hold about an ounce of food. The pouch is then connected directly to the middle part of the small intestine, bypassing the lower part of the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This allows food to bypass a significant portion of the small intestine, reducing the amount of calories and nutrients that are absorbed. Gastric bypass surgery can be performed laparoscopically or through traditional open surgery.