Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

The laproscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common operation in weight loss surgery, and has been performed successfully laparoscopically (a minimally invasive surgical technique) in tens of thousands of patients. Patients with a BMI of 35-60 qualify.

The Procedure

Six tiny incisions, from the size of a pencil eraser to about 1-1/2 inches long, are placed in the abdominal wall, and the operation is performed with the aid of a camera and special laparoscopic instruments. A small pouch is stapled off from the top part of the stomach and a limb of intestine, the Roux limb, is rerouted up to the pouch.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass bypass surgery works in three ways. First, the stomach pouch restricts the volume one can eat in a meal to about 1oz. Second, the Roux limb is somewhat malabsorptive. Third, the operation "tricks" the body into wanting to lose weight; normally, the body goes into starvation mode when on a diet.

After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Most laparoscopic gastric bypass patients are discharged from the hospital 1-2 days after surgery; Lap Band patients are usually discharged within 24 hours. A Patient Controlled Analgesia (PCA) pump is used for pain control while in the hospital. Perioperative antibiotics, heparin injections to prevent blood clots and walking as soon as possible after surgery are essential. One may return to full activities in less than a month.

Active weight loss continues from 6 months to over 18 months. After approximately one year most patients have reached their lowest weight.

Follow-up

Patients are scheduled for a post operative visit with the doctor a few days after surgery, one month after surgery, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months after surgery, then annually for life.