Roux en Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: How it Works

Gastric bypass surgery involves three main steps:

1. Creating a new, smaller stomach (gastric pouch) from the existing stomach.

2. Bypassing 3 to 4 ft. of the small intestine (normally 20 ft. long).

3. Connecting the bypassed digestive section to the lower section of the small intestine, where necessary digestive juices mix with food.

Post-Op Dietary Plan for Roux en Y Gastric Bypass Surgery Patients

As with all surgical weight-loss programs, it is imperative that Roux en Y patients adhere to dietary recommendations following surgery. For the first 18 months after gastric bypass surgery, patients must restrict themselves to consuming less than 800 calories per day; after 36 months, patients may consume no more than 1200 calories each day. In addition, patients must avoid eating sugars and fats to prevent "Dumping Syndrome."

Long-Term Weight-Loss Surgery Results with Roux en Y Gastric Bypass

On average, patients who undergo Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery experience a 70% loss of excess weight.

Gastric Bypass Surgery Gets Results

Roux en Y achieves significant weight loss in the following two ways: by reducing the size of the stomach (effectively limiting the amount of food that can be consumed by the patient), and by creating a digestive "short cut" (achieving mild malabsorption by reducing the amount of calories that can be absorbed by the patient's digestive tract).

Upon successful completion of Roux en Y gastric bypass surgery, patients benefit from smaller stomachs and less caloric absorption. They eat less food, absorb fewer calories, and, as a result, begin shedding excess pounds.