Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

One of the popular bariatric surgery options in Atlanta is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Pronounced like “roo-en-why”, it is often abbreviated to RYGB. It’s what we call a combined surgery because it uses both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques to help aid in weight loss. It is restrictive because we reduce the size of your stomach so you consume less food, and malabsorptive because food bypasses a section of the small intestine during digestion. It is a popular bariatric surgery because it provides great results with few side effects.

The Roux-en-Y Procedure

As often as possible, Roux-en-Y is performed laparoscopically. This means we make several small incisions and use those to insert our surgical tools, instead of making one large incision across your abdomen. The benefit of this is reduced scarring and healing time. However, not everyone is a good candidate for this style of surgery.

After making the incisions, we will enter the abdomen and reduce the size of the stomach. Your surgeon will decide whether to use surgical staples or the vertical banding method to achieve this. Then, a Y-shaped section of the small intestine will be attached to the new, smaller stomach. This allows food to bypass the lower stomach so your body absorbs fewer calories.

After recovery, you will be encouraged to adopt healthier eating patterns since your stomach will only be able to hold a few ounces of food at a time. It’s important that you still receive the proper amounts of protein, and you may be recommended vitamin supplements. It is best to avoid sweets and fatty foods as much as possible.

Benefits of Roux-en-Y

Obviously, the biggest benefit of Roux-en-Y bariatric surgery is the weight loss. You may also experience a reduction or elimination of other health conditions related to your weight such as diabetes, sleep apnea, or high blood pressure. This leads to an overall healthier body.

Risks of Roux-en-Y

However, there are still risks, just as with any bariatric surgery. If your surgeon opts for surgical staples and these get disrupted, you may experience leakage or infection. Due to the reduced size of the stomach, you may have trouble getting all the nutrients your body needs in such a small quantity. This can lead to malnutrition or anemia. You may also run the risk of a possible obstruction in the GI tract, hernia, or chronic vomiting or diarrhea.

Find Out If Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery is Right for You!

There are many types of bariatric surgery to see significant and long-lasting weight loss. If you’re interested in Roux-en-Y or would like to explore other options, please contact us at Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery Institute. We’ve been the top choice for bariatric surgery Atlanta residents know and trust for years. Reach out to us online or call your nearest office location to schedule a consultation.