Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery helps patients achieve significant, long-term weight loss. By reducing the amount of food needed to feel full as well as limiting the absorption of fat and calories by bypassing a portion of the small intestine, patients eat less and less often. It is a popular treatment option for patients who are significantly overweight and suffer from weight-related diseases, such as diabetes.
What is Roux-en-Y-Gastric Bypass?
During Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, a portion of the stomach is stapled to reduce the size to about that of an egg, limiting how much food can be consumed at a time. In addition, a Y-shaped part of the small intestine is attached directly to the new stomach pouch, causing food to bypass the duodenum, the first section of the small intestine. This rerouting of part of the small intestine reduces the amount of food nutrients that are absorbed by the body. By eating less and absorbing fewer calories, patients experience a significant weight loss after having gastric bypass surgery.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can either be performed traditionally with one long incision or laparoscopically with several small incisions made in the abdomen. In general, a laparoscopic surgery results in less scarring and recovery time. Your surgeon will determine with you if this is the best fit for you.
After Gastric Bypass Surgery
A traditional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass will usually require two or three days in the hospital, while a laparoscopic procedure requires one to two days of recovery.
More importantly, you’ll be instructed to make significant lifestyle and dietary changes after having weight loss surgery. The staff at Destination Weight Loss will educate you about new food choices, helping you to avoid possible complications and vitamin deficiencies. Because you’re eating and absorbing fewer calories, it will be especially important that you eat foods that provide you with the vitamins and nutrients your body needs to function properly. Learn more by reading our Bariatric Surgery Guide.
If you have a BMI of 40 or a BMI of 35 or higher with obesity-related health problems, contact Destination Weight Loss to learn more about gastric bypass surgery. The bariatric surgeons can help you assess your risks and potential for weight loss success as well as help you determine if Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is the right weight loss surgery for you.
Schedule an Appointment
To schedule an appointment with one of our physicians, call us at 256.840.5547 (Albertville) or 256.571.8734 (Guntersville) or visit our contact page.
