The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is considered the ‘gold standard’ of weight loss surgery.
The Procedure
There are two components to this procedure, Firstly, a small stomach pouch of approximately one ounce or 30 -50 millilitres in volume is created by removing the top of the stomach from the rest of it.
The second step is, the first portion of the small intestine is taken, divided, and then connected to the newly created small stomach pouch.
The first portion of the small intestine is then reconnected to the rest of the small intestine further down so that the stomach acids and digestive enzymes with eventually mix with the food.
This procedure works due to the new stomach being smaller and therefore less food is consumed, meaning less calories. Also, less calories are absorbed by the small intestine.
The rerouting of the food stream causes changes to occur in the gut hormones that promote satiety, suppress hunger and reverse the primary reasons obesity induced type 2 diabetes.
After this surgery there is a 60 -80% excess loss of weight. Often, there is also an increase in energy expenditure seen.
There are more complication rates with this surgery as it is technically more complex. There could be long term vitamin and mineral deficiencies particularly vitamin B12, Iron Calcium and Folate if the follow up instructions are not adhered to.