Obesity Surgery

Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

Here a small stomach pouch is created to restrict food intake. Next, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach, the duodenum (the first segment of the small intestine), and the first portion of the jejunum (the second segment of the small intestine). This bypass reduces the absorption of nutrients and thereby reduces the calorie intake.

Advantages:

• “Dumping syndrome“ if sweets and chocolates taken
• Good operation for sweet eaters
• Long track record
• Tend to lose a little more weight than gastric band

Disadvantages:

• Longer recovery time
• Permanent
• Not reversible
• Staple line leak
• Minor late weight regain 10-20% after 2-5 yrs
• Nutritional/ mineral supplements required

Residual stomach capacity: 30-50 mls

Estimated weight loss: 60-70% EWL over 2 years.

Find out more about Gastric Bypass with the following links.

Interactive Movie

Text version

Patient Info handout