Gastric Bypass
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Restrictive with Some Malabsorption
Considered the “gold standard” of bariatric surgery and recognized by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for the treatment of severe obesity. This procedure is performed either laparoscopically or by using the open technique and results in gastric restriction with slow gastric emptying.
With this procedure, the stomach is divided to form a new, smaller pouch for food. The small bowel is re-routed to empty into the new, smaller pouch. As food enters the pouch, it quickly fills and causes the patient to have a sensation of fullness after eating only a small portion of food. The remainder of the stomach is still present, but no longer acts as a reservoir for food.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is one of the most frequently performed weight loss procedures in the U.S. with patients losing 70-80 percent of their excess weight after five years. Additionally, 96 percent of certain associated health conditions or co-morbidities (sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression) are typically improved or resolved following this surgery.
Side effects of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass may include:
- Nausea and vomiting
- Potential food intolerances or “dumping”
- Constipation
- Potential anemia (vitamin supplementation a must)
Complications of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass may include:
- Leaks
- Bleeding
- Embolus (blood clots)
- Respiratory (pneumonia)
- Hernias (when performed as an open procedure only)
- Bowel obstruction
- Stricture
- Anemia/nutritional deficiencies
- Infection (always higher when the bowel is opened)