Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Mills-Peninsula bariatric surgeons perform the Roux-en-Y (roo-en-why) gastric bypass procedure. Roux was the name of the Swiss surgeon who developed this technique of joining the stomach pouch to the small intestine and creating a U-shaped intestinal junction. Gastric bypass surgery should not be considered reversible. It is most effective in the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and works by reducing the amount of food a person may eat at one time and by “bypassing” the small intestine where the absorption of calories occurs.

The purpose of the operation is to reduce the size of the stomach to roughly two ounces, as opposed to its former size of about two quarts. This drastic reduction limits the stomach’s ability to hold food, making the patient feel full and satisfied after eating only a small amount. Bypassing most of the stomach reduces hormones that induce hunger so patients may not have the cravings for food. Additionally, because most of the stomach and some of the small intestine has been bypassed, some of the nutrients and calories in your foods will not be absorbed. However, most of the effect of this surgery is in helping with volume control.

For the surgery to be successful, lifelong dietary and behavior modifications of eating habits and exercise are required.