GASTRIC BYPASS SURGERY

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

During gastric bypass surgery, the digestive tract is reconfigured, reducing the capacity of the stomach and bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The result is a limiting of both food intake and calorie absorption. This procedure is currently the most popular weight loss surgery in the United States because of its long-term effectiveness when coupled with appropriate nutrition and exercise practices. During the gastric bypass procedure, the stomach is stapled horizontally, separating it into two parts. The larger portion, along with the upper section of the small intestine, is disconnected from the digestive tract. The remaining stomach pouch is then reconnected to the small intestine. This new configuration both limits the amount of food that can be consumed and the number of calories absorbed from that food.