The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is considered by many to be the gold standard for weight lose surgery.

This does not mean it is the best surgical option for all weight loss patients.  Depending on your circumstances an alternative procedure may actually be a better, safer, and a more effective choice.  As physicians we have the longest experience with the behavior of the Roux-en-Y and many are comfortable with managing patients with this surgery.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is not a new procedure.  Its use dates back several decades. Originally it was used for the treatment of stomach cancer and ulcer disease. It is also one of the most effective surgeries for the treatment of heartburn, also known as G.E.R.D..  Its use as a weight loss procedure became much more extensive after the laparoscopic technique was developed.  Its short and long term complications are well known.

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a wonderful and effective tool for weight management.  There are several advantages and some disadvantages with this procedure.  Please refer to the information on this page for more details.

Original Weight-Loss Surgery with Modern Laparoscopic Benefits

When chronically obese pop-singer Carnie Wilson achieved dramatic results with her much-publicized weight-loss surgery, the Roux en Y gastric bypass was the bariatric procedure behind her success. Commonly referred to as gastric bypass surgery, Roux en Y has been a trusted surgical weight-loss procedure for more than 20 years. Laparoscopic Associates conducts the procedure laparoscopically using 5 small incisions through the patient’s abdomen. Typically, within 3 days after the operation, gastric bypass patients can walk away from the hospital on a carefully monitored liquid diet.

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.