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               What is Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass?

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass combines the advantages of restrictive and malabsorptive methods of weight loss.

Restrictive:  The stomach is divided to make a small pouch (15-20 cc) which limits how much one can eat or drink during a given period of time.

Malabsorptive:  The first 100-150 centimeters of small intestine are rerouted in such a way as to “bypass” food absorption in that portion of intestine.  Bile from the liver and enzymes from the pancreas don’t mix with the food to aid digestion until after the first 100-150 centimeters in intestine.

Be Aware - some surgeons do not divide (disconnect) the small stomach pouch from the large gastric remnant, thus greatly increasing the chance that the staple line will break down.  That means that food will once again go into the large part of the stomach and the patient will regain weight.  This requires repeat surgery with associated risks.  The expert surgeons at Atlanta Bariatrics agree with other experienced bariatric surgeons who understand the importance of disconnecting the small stomach pouch from the large stomach remnant.

Traditionally, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been done through a large upper midline incision in the abdomen.  However, because of our extensive laparoscopic experience, Atlanta Bariatrics performs the same Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure using minimally invasive techniques.  This means tiny incisions with a laparoscopic approach.  Using a laparoscopic approach may decrease the amount of time necessary to stay in the hospital, increase speed of recovery, and  decrease the risk of some surgical complications.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the most common procedure performed in the United States.  It has an excellent track record in achieving and maintaining weight loss with up to 15 years follow-up.   The majority of the weight loss generally occurs over the first 12-18 months.

Click here to use our Body Mass Index calculator to help determine if weight loss surgery might be for you.

Or, to learn about the LAP-BAND procedure, click below.

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