Gastric bypass or “Roux-en-Y” is a metabolic and weight-loss procedure that works by modifying your digestive system so that you consume and absorb fewer calories. It modifies your stomach and also your small intestines.
Similar to other bariatric surgery operations, gastric bypass is recommended for people who have clinically severe obesity. It has been shown to help relieve a long list of obesity-related health conditions, including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- Obstructive sleep apnea
- GERD (chronic acid reflux)
- Heart disease
- Hyperglycemia
- Fatty liver disease
- Hyperlipidemia
- Osteoarthrosis
The Roux-en-Y procedure gets its name from how it changes your digestive system. “Roux-en-Y” means “in the shape of a Y”. The procedure divides your stomach and small intestine, connecting each new segment to form a “Y” shape. This procedure reduces the functional part of your stomach to a small pouch, separating it from the rest with surgical staples, and restricting the amount of food your stomach can hold. Then, it connects the new stomach pouch to a lower segment of your small intestine. This means that when food goes through your digestive system, it will now bypass most of your stomach and the first part of your small intestine, causing your digestive system to not absorb all of the nutrients or calories in your food.
Gastric bypass surgery requirements are similar to those of other bariatric procedures. A qualified healthcare provider must recommend you for surgery. You may be a candidate for gastric bypass surgery if you:
- Have been diagnosed with class III obesity
- Have a BMI of at least 35 with at least one obesity-related condition
- Have obesity-related type 2 diabetes
Most Roux-en-Y surgical procedures today are laparoscopic, a minimally invasive surgical technique. However, sometimes they are done with robotic assistance.
There are many potential advantages of robotic-assisted surgery over other types of surgery including:
- Robot-assisted surgery provides the surgeon with 3D images of inside your abdomen that create a clearer picture for them to reference as they operate compared to the 2D images used during laparoscopic surgery
- Under the surgeon’s direction, the robot can move more freely and with more versatility than a human hand
- You’ll have a few tiny scars rather than one large incision scar (as with open surgery)
- You’re more likely to experience less pain and less bleeding after surgery compared to open surgery
- You’re more likely to have a quicker recovery time than with open surgery
To learn more about the robotic surgical procedures at Flushing Hospital Medical Center or to schedule an appointment, call (718) 670-5000.
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