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Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
The Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y (roo-en-Y) gastric bypass is currently the most common weight loss surgery. This weight loss surgery reduces the stomach size to less than two ounces (roughly the size of a golf ball) and bypasses the lower stomach and approximately 20% of the upper portion of the small intestine. The combined effects of this adjustable gastric banding are decreased hunger, smaller food volumes, and reduced ability to absorb calories. On average, our patients lose 75% of their excess body weight within the first year.
Our patients also benefit from the laparoscopic approach used in our Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedures. Laparoscopy as a lap band procedure uses very small incisions and special instruments to perform an operation that would traditionally require a much larger incision. These techniques of gastric banding greatly reduce pain and suffering, as well as risks of certain complications such as lung problems, wound infections, and hernias. This results in shorter hospital stays, more rapid recovery, and less scarring. Typically, patients undergoing laparoscopic obesity surgery leave the hospital in one to two days, resume normal activities in seven to ten days, and are back to work within three weeks.
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How the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Procedure Works
All bariatric operations work by altering the digestive functions of the intestinal tract and thereby changing energy balance. All bariatric operations work by altering the digestive functions of the intestinal tract and thereby changing energy balance. To understand Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass we need to have some basic understanding of what is normal. Normally, food passes from the mouth to the stomach by way of the esophagus. Digestion begins once the food reaches the stomach. Starches and proteins are broken down by enzymes and acid produced in the stomach. The mechanical churning action of the stomach reduces food to smaller particle sizes before it is released into the small intestine. The normal adult stomach has a capacity of 1 to 1.5 liters (1,500 cc). Most bariatric procedures reduce the size of the stomach pouch, thereby limiting the amount of food that can be eaten. For example, in the Roux-en-Y gastric Laparoscopic procedure, the pouch size is reduced to as little as 20 or 30 cc restricting daily caloric intake to well below 1,000 calories.
All bariatric operations work by altering the digestive functions of the intestinal tract and thereby changing energy balance. All bariatric operations work by altering the digestive functions of the intestinal tract and thereby changing energy balance. To understand Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass we need to have some basic understanding of what is normal. Normally, food passes from the mouth to the stomach by way of the esophagus. Digestion begins once the food reaches the stomach. Starches and proteins are broken down by enzymes and acid produced in the stomach. The mechanical churning action of the stomach reduces food to smaller particle sizes before it is released into the small intestine. The normal adult stomach has a capacity of 1 to 1.5 liters (1,500 cc). Most bariatric procedures reduce the size of the stomach pouch, thereby limiting the amount of food that can be eaten. For example, in the Roux-en-Y gastric Laparoscopic procedure, the pouch size is reduced to as little as 20 or 30 cc restricting daily caloric intake to well below 1,000 calories.
The first part of the small intestine is called the duodenum. Soon after entering the duodenum, food mixes with bile, which enables fat to be absorbed across the lining of the intestine. The duodenum also plays an important role in the absorption of certain vitamins and minerals. This is a favored site of iron and calcium absorption. This part of the intestinal tract is bypassed with the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass procedure. Because of this, life-long daily mineral and vitamin supplementation is needed.
Take out the hard-return after the second sentence “we need to have some basic understanding of what is normal” and “Normally, food passes….”