Roux-en-y gastric bypass is a surgical weight loss operation that combines a restrictive and a malabsorptive procedure. A small (15-30ml) gastric pouch is created to restrict food intake. A limb of intestines that is further “downstream” from the intestine that the stomach normally empties into (i.e the duodenum) is then divided, and sewn to the small gastric pouch. Doing this allows the food that empties from the stomach to “bypass” the upper portion of the small intestines. This ultimately decreases the amount of food that can be absorbed into your bloodstream.
Advantages:
1) superior weight loss when compared with vertical gastric banding
2) excellent long-term reduction in EWL
3) helps resolve or eliminate co-morbidities such as high blood pressure (hypertension) & Diabetes
Disadvantages:
1) There is a potential for leaks from the intestinal anastomoses (where they get sewn together).
2) Severe dumping syndrome
3) Procedure-related complications like internal hernias and gastric distension.
