What does bypass surgery involve?

Before the surgery

You won’t be able to eat anything for at least six hours before your operation. You may be able to drink water up to two hours before your surgery. The hospital will give you more information about this. Tell your doctor or nurse if you have diabetes as this might affect your care before surgery.

What happens during the operation?

Bypass surgery usually takes two to four hours, depending on your cancer and the type of surgery you are having.

The operation may be open surgery, when one large cut (incision) is made in the tummy. In some hospitals you might be able to have keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery. With keyhole surgery, the surgeon makes several small cuts (about 1-2 cm) in the tummy. A long thin tube with a camera on the end (a laparoscope) is put in through one hole. The surgeon then puts surgical instruments in through the other holes, guided by the images from the camera.

Bypass surgery for a blocked duodenum

For a blocked duodenum, the surgeon connects the stomach to the small intestine below the blockage. This allows food to pass from the stomach into the small intestine and should stop you feeling sick.

Before bypass surgery for a blocked duodenum

After bypass surgery for a blocked duodenum

Bypass surgery for a blocked bile duct

For a blocked bile duct, the surgeon cuts the bile duct above the blockage and connects it to the small intestine. This allows the bile to flow again.

Before bypass surgery for a blocked bile duct

After bypass surgery for a blocked bile duct

After your bypass surgery

You will have some tubes or drains put in during the operation, which are usually removed in the first couple of days.

After the operation you will have painkillers for any pain. You should be able to drink and eat soft foods. After a few days you may be able to eat solid foods. But this may depend on how well you are recovering from the operation.

You will probably spend four to ten days in hospital if there are no problems, any pain is well controlled, and you are eating again.

Check-ups and recovery after surgery

You will normally have a check-up appointment two to six weeks after you leave hospital. The medical team will check your wound and ask about your recovery and any questions you have. They will also talk to you about any more treatment you might need, such as chemotherapy.

Sometimes check-up appointments are done on the phone. Tell the medical team about any side effects or problems with your wound and ask any questions you have.

The bypass surgery may help with your symptoms, but it will not cure the cancer. You may be able to have chemotherapy to control the growth of the cancer. Bypass surgery is major surgery and it may take two to three months to recover. You will feel tired and weak at first, and your wound will need time to heal. Gentle physical activity, such as walking, may help you recover from the surgery. Your medical team can give you advice about the best type of exercise to do.

Updated October 2023

Review date October 2026