Gastric Bypass Surgery

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is the most common surgical procedure in the U.S. for the treatment of morbid obesity. Weight loss is achieved by reducing the stomach size and bypassing a portion of the small intestine. The stomach is reduced to a one-ounce pouch, and a small opening (or stoma) is created between the stomach and the intestine.

The small stomach pouch causes the patient to have a sensation of fullness after eating only a small portion of food. The stoma delays stomach emptying, making the sensation of fullness last longer. These are called the restrictive components of the procedure.

The bypassed intestine results in a delay of mixing nutrients with bile and pancreatic juices that aid in the absorption of nutrients. The outlet from this newly formed pouch empties directly into the jejunum, thus bypassing calorie absorption in the duodenum.

Since Gastric Bypass patients eat less food and absorb less of what they take in, they are at risk for developing nutritional deficiencies. To avoid this, patients must make a life-long commitment to taking vitamin, mineral, and possibly protein supplements.

For more information about the roll of food and nutrition in connection with weight loss surgery, click on the links to the left of your screen.