History of the Gastric Bypass

In 1966, Edward Mason presented the first gastric bypass procedure aiming to treat severe obesity and its consequences. It was based mostly in restriction of food ingestion by reducing gastric capacity. Over two decades passed before the approach reached a satisfactory status that lasts till the present day. Several improvements were incorporated to the primitive model: reduction of the proximal pouch; surgical staplers to build the pouch; Roux-en-Y gastrojejunal anastomosis to prevent biliopancreatic reflux (RYGBP); dividing the stapled stomach to facilitate anastomosis and prevent rupture of the staple line; locating the proximal pouch near the small curvature, thicker, to prevent dilatation.