Weight-Loss Surgery: Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital’s Bariatric team specializes in three major weight-loss surgeries. We have discussed the Gastric Sleeve and Adjustable Gastric Banding. Today we will dive deeper into the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery. 

What is it? The Roux-en-Y (rü-en-‘wī) procedure began in 1892 with a Swiss surgeon by the name of César Roux. It was not originally used as a weight-loss procedure but later adapted to what it is today. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure is considered the ‘Gold Standard’ of Bariatric surgery.  The surgery can cause a loss of more than 65 percent of excess weight and more than 40 percent loss of total body weight and it is usually sustained long-term. Like all bariatric procedures there are surgery requirements. The requirements include:

• Must be between the ages of 18 and 60
• Must have a Body Mass Index of 40 or higher

Or

• Must have a Body Mass index of 35 with other obesity-related conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease etc.

Procedure Note: before deciding to have gastric bypass surgery, you should discuss your medical conditions and any medications you are currently taking with your surgeon.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery makes the stomach smaller and causes food to bypass part of the small intestine. This reduces the amount of food you can eat at one time and causes you to feel full more quickly than when your stomach was full size. In most Roux-en Y procedures a small portion of the stomach is used to create a smaller stomach, approximately the size of an egg, and then it is attached to the middle of the small intestine bypassing the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine.

The procedure can be done by an open procedure, making a large incision in the abdomen or by using the laparoscopic approach by making a small incision and using small instruments and cameras to guide through the surgery.

After the Procedure The hospital stay after a Roux-en-Y procedure is commonly 2-3 days. Once you return home it is important to live an active lifestyle. It will reduce your risks of complications if you work towards getting back to your normal lifestyle as quickly as possible, such as walking frequently and returning to work.

Risk Factors All types of surgeries involve some kind of risk and it is important to learn and understand all risks before deciding to proceed with a procedure. The risks for a Roux-en-Y procedure include the following:

• Incision infection
• Stomach leaking
• Vomiting
• Hernia
• Kidney Stones
• Gallstones
• Anemia

If you are experiencing any of these complications you should speak with your doctor right away.

No weight-loss surgery is a “quick fix.” All require a lifestyle change in order to be successful. FirstHealth Moore Regional Hospital in partnership with Pinehurst Surgical offers treatment, support and tools to patients in the Pinehurst, Raeford, Sanford, Lumberton, Laurinburg, Rockingham, and Troy regions of North Carolina to ensure their success.