Gastric bypass surgery, also referred to as Roux-en-Y, and is the most frequently performed weight loss surgery in the United States, with more than 150,000 gastric bypass procedures completed annually.  Gastric bypass surgery works by changing the anatomy of your digestive system.  This surgical weight loss procedure limits caloric intake and also helps decrease some of the hormones that stimulate appetite.  Your bariatric surgeon will create a small pouch (approximately 0.5 to 1 ounce) at the top of the stomach and then connect it to a portion of the small intestine.  Additionally, gastric bypass surgery can be completed laparoscopically with smaller incisions, less blood loss, fewer complications and often, a quicker recovery.

By decreasing the stomach size and bypassing a large portion of the intestines, gastric bypass surgery induces faster weight loss. The remainder of the stomach is not removed, but by bypassing it, it can no longer act as a reservoir for excess food.  It does, however, still function to assist with digestion.

The gastric bypass procedure has demonstrated added health benefits beyond weight loss as many patients also experience lower blood pressure, improvement in sleep apnea, acid reflux disease, diabetes control, and joint pain.

One possible side effect of laparoscopic gastric bypass includes dumping syndrome.  When parts of the stomach are removed, portions of undigested food may be “dumped” into the small intestine too quickly.  Bariatric patients often experience this after eating refined sugars.  Dumping creates uncomfortable feelings such as nausea, sweating, and cramps.  However, dumping generally subsides with time and dietary adjustments.

Advantages of gastric bypass surgery

• Considered the gold standard procedure in bariatric surgery
• Can be performed minimally invasively with the laparoscopic approach
• Rapid weight loss –  67% average excess weight one year after surgery
• The reduced size of the stomach and malabsorption makes this a
  successful procedure for long-term weight loss

Disadvantages of gastric bypass surgery

• Stomach stapling and rerouting
• Risk of leaks and complications
• Risk of nutritional deficiencies
• Difficult to reverse