ROUX-EN-Y
Gastric Bypass Weight Loss Surgery
Someone who is approximately 75 pounds overweight with a major obesity related health problem (like type 2 diabetes, heart disease or sleep apnea) or someone greater than 100 pounds overweight without any other complications may be a good candidate for this surgery.
For this surgery staples are used to create the stomach pouch. The rest of the stomach is not removed but is stapled completely. The newly formed pouch empties directlee into the lower portion of the intestine. The small intestine is divided just beyond the duodenum, brought up and connected to the newly formed pouch. The other end is connected into the side of the pouch limb of the intestine, creating “Y” shape that gives this technique its name. After the stomach pouch is created, the small intestine is bisected. The lower part of the small intestine is then attached to the new stomach pouch. Taking this step means food passed through the stomach pouch will bypass both the lower stomach and the top of the small intestine, known as the duodenum. This malabsorptive approach is highly effective as the majority of the calories absorbed by the body are absorbed through the duodenum, and that is bypassed. The restrictive approach allows patients to consume less food while still experiencing the sensation of fullness for a long time.
There are several advantages of this procedure. In comparison to purely restrictive bariatric procedures, this procedure has a very impressive success rate. The average excess weight loss is usually higher in Roux-en-Y. On average weight loss can average 80 % of excess body weight one year after the surgery. After 10 to 14 years, some patients have maintained 50-60% of the excess body weight loss.
The associated health conditions of obese people such as back pain, sleep apnea high blood pressure, depression and diabetes improve up to 96% after this surgery. Roux-en-Y done through laparoscopic method has several added benefits including quicker recovery, lesser pain and shorter hospital stay as well as a significantly reduced risk of wound infection. Laparoscopic surgery involves several very small incisions rather than open surgery which uses one large incision.
There are several side effects attached with this procedure, such as dumping syndrome, nausea, weakness, sweating faintness and diarrhea. Since minerals and vitamins are bypassed, one may also suffer deficiency of iron, calcium, magnesium and minerals. This can lead to long-term problems, such as osteoporosis. To prevent vitamin and mineral deficiencies, one may need to work with a dietitian to plan meals, and take vitamin and mineral supplements.
