The gastric bypass surgery or otherwise known as the Roux-en-Y procedure is a surgical weight loss procedure, which reduces greatly the stomach size and shortens the intestine track as well. Along with the adjustable gastric banding (commonly known as the lap-band procedure), it is one of the most popular weight loss options all around the world.
Gastric bypass is recommended for morbidly obese people who have tried and failed traditional weight loss methods. This procedure, just like any other surgical weight loss procedure limits the food intake, reduces nutrient absorption and this way results significant weight loss.
There are some specific requirements a bariatric patient has to meet if chooses this type of surgery. The patient has to have a BMI (body mass index) over 40, has to be obese for at least 5 years, the bariatric patient suffers from weight related medical conditions such as diabetes type 2, obstructive sleep apnea, heart conditions, respiratory disorders, hypertension. Pregnant women have contraindications.
The gastric bypass is done under general anesthesia, it is a non-reversible, minimally invasive laparoscopic surgery.
During the procedure, the weight loss surgeon divides the stomach into two portions. On the top of the stomach a small pouch will be created, which will act as the new stomach. The next step is dividing the jejunum into two sections and creating the Y connection, after which the small pouch and the jejunum will be connected bypassing a part of the jejunum and the duodenum.
The surgery is followed by a 4 step diet, starting with liquids then going on to pureed foods, which are followed by soft foods, and then the patient will gradually return to consuming solid foods.
A healthy diet and regular physical exercises are necessary from this time on in order to maintain the weight loss and the improvement of the weight related comorbidities.
Dr. Wynn is a board certified general surgeon performing minimally invasive weight loss surgery at CHRIAS - Christiana Institute of Advanced Surgery.
