Gastric Bypass (Roux-en-Y)

The gastric bypass, also known as the Roux-en-Y bypass, is a bariatric surgery that reduces the size of your stomach and reroutes part of the small intestine. This combination limits how much food you can eat and decreases the absorption of calories and nutrients. The surgery works through three main effects:

• Increased Fullness with smaller meals: The reduced stomach size helps you feel full with less food.
• Decreased Appetite: The early stimulation of the small intestine boosts hormones that promote a feeling of fullness.
• Reduced Calorie Absorption: By bypassing about 2 meters of the small intestine, your body absorbs fewer calories, a process known as "malabsorption."

The gastric bypass is one of the most studied bariatric procedures and remains a popular, effective choice due to its proven long-term results.

How Does it Work?

After surgery, your new stomach will hold less food, making it easier to follow a low-calorie diet without feeling hungry. Additionally, fewer calories are absorbed because food bypasses part of the small intestine. This procedure also has a strong metabolic impact, significantly improving blood sugar, triglyceride, and cholesterol levels. It’s especially effective for patients with metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, with up to 80% of patients no longer needing medication after the surgery.

Benefits of the Procedure:

1. Long-lasting weight loss: Helps maintain significant weight loss over time.
2. Effective for metabolic conditions: Proven to help improve or even resolve conditions like type 2 diabetes.
3. Well-researched: Decades of research support its safety and effectiveness.

Concerns to Consider:

1. More complex surgery: This surgery is more technically demanding and takes more time to perform compared to the gastric sleeve.
2. Nutritional deficiencies: Patients who do not follow the recommended vitamin and mineral supplementation are at a higher risk of developing deficiencies.
3. Risk of complications: There is a small risk of intestinal issues, and a separate risk of ulcer formation, especially in smokers or those who regularly take pain relievers.
4. Dumping syndrome: Eating sugary or high-fat foods can lead to "dumping syndrome," causing nausea, dizziness, and discomfort.