Gastric Bypass Surgery
Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass, or simply ‘gastric bypass,’ is one of the most common forms of weight loss surgery in the United States. It results in reliable weight loss with acceptable risks and minimal side effects.
Gastric bypass by various techniques has been performed for over 50 years, making it the operation with the most experience. In gastric bypass surgery, the surgeon staples off a large section of the stomach, creating a tiny pouch and then connects the small intestine to the pouch. Patients simply can't eat as much as they did before surgery because this small pouch can only accommodate a few ounces of food at a time. When the pouch fills with food a feeling of fullness or satiety occurs. The reconnected intestine causes the food to bypass part of the intestine so some of the nutrients and calories in food will not be absorbed. Patients subsequently lose weight. Any patient who is a candidate for bariatric surgery is potentially a candidate for this operation.
It is important that patients who have had a gastric bypass procedure make a lifelong commitment to making the necessary changes in their diet. This includes maintaining an adequate intake of protein, taking vitamin and mineral supplements including a multivitamin, B12, iron and calcium, and avoiding sweets and fatty foods.