Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass leads to weight loss through two mechanisms: restriction and malabsorption.

How does gastric bypass work?

The restriction is done by reducing the size of the stomach, which limits the amount of food you can eat before you feel full. Malabsorption occurs as a portion of the small intestine is bypassed, reducing the amount of food the body will absorb.

The gold standard in weight loss surgery: Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

It’s important to note that malabsorption simply means that consumed calories will have less of an impact. Malnutrition, on the other hand, is produced by bypassing too much of the small intestine. This operation is considered the gold standard for weight loss surgery given its length of existence and extensive use since 1967.

What is the gastric bypass procedure?

A small stomach pouch (about the size of a medium egg) is created with a stapler device. The small intestines are divided with one end being brought up and connected to the small stomach pouch using the stapler. The intestines are reconnected further downstream.

Dr. explains what a Gastric Bypass is

Expected weight loss from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

Patients generally lose between 65% to 80%* of their excess weight. The exact amount of weight lost depends on your pre-operative body mass index (heavier people lose more weight), compliance with dietary instruction, and increasing your activity levels (exercise). Commitment to proper food choices, nutritional supplementation, and increased activity is essential to maximizing and maintaining your weight loss in the long term. Failure to make these commitments can lead to weight regain.

Minimally invasive gastric bypass surgery

Dr. Josh Roller, Dr. Yong Kwon, Dr. Jaime Dutton, and Dr. Jessica Pries typically perform this procedure laparoscopically 99% of the time, aiming to avoid creating a large incision in the abdomen. It’s extremely rare for our surgeons to have to perform open weight loss surgery. Most of our patients stay for one night in the hospital and are able to go back to work in a week’s time — with less than a 1% wound complication rate.

Take the first step on the path to improved health here

The first step in your weight loss journey is to register for one of our weight loss seminars.

Candidates for Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: Is this right for you?

If you have a BMI (body mass index) over 40, you may be a good candidate for minimally invasive, laparoscopically performed Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. Other candidates may have a BMI between 35 and 39 and are suffering from one or more obesity-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, or sleep apnea.

Recovery from Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

The recovery from this advanced weight loss surgery goes through several phases. Rather than spending many days or even weeks in a hospital, our patients are typically released after one day. For the first one to two weeks after surgery, you will follow a liquid diet, then soft foods, and then back to regular food.

You will need to eat slowly and cannot consume liquids 30 minutes before or after eating. As the days pass, your system will settle into a new routine and the excess weight disappears quickly. This is a very rewarding experience. You will also need to take supplements to ensure your body is supplied with the nutrition it needs.

A new life can be yours

If you’re considering weight loss surgery, you deserve treatment with the latest techniques, and under the care of a fellowship-trained bariatric surgeon. At Roller Weight Loss & Advanced Surgery, we are honored to be among the leading authorities in bariatric surgery. We have a patient-focused approach to every surgery and will work closely with you to select the most effective weight loss program for your condition. For an extraordinary level of personalized care, speak to our team at Roller Weight Loss & Advanced Surgery.

*Results may vary person to person.