Open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (Combination Surgery)
The open Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is classified as a
"combination" weight loss surgery because it is both restrictive
and malabsorptive in nature. During the surgery, a 6-10 inch
incision is made along the upper portion of the belly. The surgeon
will staple and separate the top portion of the stomach from the
bottom portion of the stomach to create a small stomach pouch. This
small stomach pouch functions to restrict food intake (the
restrictive portion of the surgery). A section of the small
intestine is then attached to the small stomach pouch. This allows
food to bypass the lower stomach and the first part of the small
intestine. This bypass reduces the amount of calories and nutrients
the body absorbs (the malabsorptive portion of the
surgery).
Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (Combination
Surgery)
The Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is
classified as a "combination" weight loss surgery because it is
both restrictive and malabsorptive in nature. During the surgery,
five to eight small incisions are made in the abdomen to insert a
small video camera and the tools needed to perform the surgery. The
surgeon will staple and separate the top portion of the stomach
from the bottom portion of the stomach to create a small stomach
pouch. This small stomach pouch functions to restrict food intake
(the restrictive portion of the surgery). A section of the small
intestine is then attached to the small stomach pouch. This allows
food to bypass the lower stomach, and the first part of the small
intestine. This bypass reduces the amount of calories and nutrients
the body absorbs (the malabsorptive portion of the surgery). You
will be required to take vitamin/mineral supplements due to
malabsorption
Advantages of gastric bypass surgery are many. Most
patients experience an improvement in medical conditions, a
decrease in prescription medications, improved fertility in
females, and an improved quality of life.
It is possible that the Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric
Bypass may have to be converted to a traditional "open" approach.
Reasons to convert a laparoscopic surgery to an open surgery
include, but are not limited to, significant bleeding, extreme
obesity, equipment malfunction, and anatomic
considerations such as large liver size and scar tissue.
Risks
There are risks with any surgery and weight loss surgery is no
exception. Your surgeon will review all the complications of weight
loss surgery in detail with you before your operation. Although
most surgeries have no complications, our staff of experienced
medical professionals is available to respond to any complications
that may arise.
