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Roux en y gastric bypass surgery is one of the most popular bariatric surgical procedures performed for obese patients.  This surgery reduces the intake food quantity as the size of the stomach is reduced and also calories absorbed as the food by passes the small intestine where absorption of food takes place.

How does the roux en y gastric bypass surgery work?

In this weight loss surgical procedure, a small stomach will be made out from the existing one by the bariatric surgeon. Staples or a silastic band are applied to the upper part of the stomach wall to make the upper stomach smaller, which is achieved by creating a pouch so that the size of usual stomach of the patient is significantly reduced. This will help by reducing the quantity of food intake as little food intake fill up pretty quickly.  This in turn means, less calories are absorbed.

This small pouch is then attached to the upper part of the small intestine bypassing the lower half of the stomach and the duodenum.  This bypass will help in reducing the amount calories available for absorption.

Roux en y gastric bypass surgery procedure.

The roux en y gastric bypass surgery can be performed either via the laparoscopic route (key hole) or through open surgery. The laparoscopic is a better option compared to open surgery as the recovery time is comparatively less and stay at hospital is short.  In laparoscopic procedure, the bariatric surgeon will make a small incision around the belly button through which a long instrument is introduced inside after introducing a body-friendly gas inside the belly to make space for manipulation of the operating instruments.  Additional long instruments are introduced to help with the manipulation of the stomach, small and large bowel.

The roux en y surgical procedure is then performed, creating a small stomach pouch and then stitched to the upper part of the small intestine bypassing the larger lower stomach and the first part of the small intestine. Then the gas is expelled from the belly and the incisions closed.

In open surgery, similar procedure is done except for the incision which will be bigger for better access to the surgeon in performing the surgery. Open surgery; however takes a longer recovery time and hospital stay is also extended by few more days compared to surgery through laparoscopic surgery.

Roux en y gastric bypass surgery can be considered by persons who are

•             About 100 pounds (approx. 45 KGs.) above ideal weight

•             Between 18 and 65 years of age.

•             Not dependent on alcohol or who can stay away from alcohol consumption.

•             Having weight-related health problem like Type 2 diabetes, osteoarthritis, heart disease, sleep apnea.

•             Obesity problem has been long standing.

Post roux en y gastric bypass surgery procedure:

Patients will be discharged usually about 2 days if the surgery is done laparoscopically, or 5 to 7 days if its open surgery.

After a roux en y gastric bypass surgery, follow-up care will be instructed by the surgeon before the patient is discharged from hospital.  Sutures will be removed around the 7th day after surgery.

The surgery is just one aspect of the procedure. Other aspects that are just equally important are dietary and exercise advice.  The patient needs to follow all the advice given by the surgeon to achieve target weight loss goals.

In 4 weeks time, patients can resume normal and routine duties unless there is a complication or the surgeon instructs extra rest time.

If you are a candidate seeking bariatric/weight loss surgery and prefer roux en y, there are many hospitals and surgeons par excellence in India, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and other Asian countries.  Planning well in advance and scheduling appointment with the hospital will help you save a lot of money, as bariatric surgery is quite expensive in the US, Canada, Europe and few middle-east countries. To find a bariatric surgeon or hospital, click here and fill the form .