Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

In this procedure, a portion of the stomach is sectioned off.  This creates a small pouch which reduces food intake.  The pouch will usually hold about one ounce of food or less, which causes the feeling of fullness after just a few bites.  The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but is completely stapled shut and divided from the stomach pouch.  The outlet from this new stomach empties directly into the lower portion of the intestines, which bypasses calorie absorption.

Advantages:

• Food intake is greatly controlled.
• Dumping syndrome is prevalent which controls intake of sweets.
• Excellent results in improving or resolving related health problems:  back pain, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, diabetes and depression
• The average excess weight loss after the Roux-en-Y procedure is generally higher in a a compliant patient that with purely restrictive procedures (VBG and LapBand).

Disadvantages:

• Vomiting is likely if food is not properly chewed or eaten too quickly.
• A chronic anemia due to Vitamin B12 deficiency may occur.  The problem can usually be managed with Vitamin B12 pills or injections.
• Because the duodenum is bypassed, poor absorption of iron and calcium can result in the lowering of total body iron and a predisposition to iron deficiency anemia.