Weight Loss Surgery - Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the gold standard bariatric surgery in the United States. It is very a very effective method for achieving weight loss at any BMI, especially in the “sweet eater” group due to the malabsorptive mechanism that is produced.

Gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach much smaller. The new stomach (pouch) has a capacity of about two ounces. This surgery also allows food to bypass part of the small intestine. You will feel full more quickly than when your stomach was its original size of about two quarts, which reduces the amount of food you eat and thus the calories consumed. However, you will not feel hungry after eating those small portions like you would if your stomach were its original size. Plus, the calories contained in the foods that you eat aren't absorbed as well by your system due to the intestinal bypass, further reducing total calories taken in. The combination of these 2 factors leads weight loss

In the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. The smaller stomach is connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum).

The surgery takes approximately two hours and is performed under general anesthesia using the laparoscopic approach (keyhole). Our surgeons have each performed over 1000 bariatric procedures. The technique of using staples on all openings created in the surgery instead hand sewing was developed at UCLA and is routinely used by our surgeon. The use of this method resulted in no leaks in the last 800 patients thus drastically reducing the risk of complications.

The results of the gastric bypass speak for themselves. This surgical option has stood the test of time. A positive surgical outcome means achieving and maintaining a weight loss of at least 50% of your excess weight. Patients that follow the diet and exercise program, achieve the best and fastest results.

Advantages of Gastric Bypass Surgery

83.7 percent of type 2 diabetes cases are resolved.
Studies of controlled groups have shown the groups that do not have bariatric surgery have a 3.7 times higher risk for type 2 diabetes.
Gastric bypass surgery successfully resolves more people’s type 2 diabetes than purely restrictive procedures.
Resolution of type 2 diabetes often occurs within days of the surgery.
96.9 percent of hyperlipidemia cases are resolved.
75.4 percent of hypertension cases are resolved and 87.1 percent are resolved or improved.
An average of 61.6 percent of excess weight is lost.
In 2000, a study of 500 patients showed that 96 percent of co-morbidities (specifically back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and depression) were improved or resolved.
The average excess weight loss after a gastric bypass procedure is generally higher than with a purely restrictive procedure.
As with every type of bariatric surgery, the overall quality of life for patients improves greatly. A great deal of excess weight is lost, and patients experience resolution of co-morbidities, and improved appearance, social opportunities, and economic opportunities.

What To Expect After Surgery

This surgery usually involves a 2 to 3 days stay in the hospital. Most people can return to their normal activities within 3 to 5 weeks.

You will follow a liquid diet immediately after surgery. Your diet will progress to full liquids, pureed or blended foods, soft foods then finally to a diet of solid foods.