Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
All You Need to Know about Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery including risks, costs, complications,and recovery.
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery combines the effect of restriction and malabsorption to promote and ensure weight loss after the surgery and until full recovery. The success of the weight loss surgery can be fully determined when the patient undergoes recovery and if he or she religiously follows the diet strictly.
Weight loss is made possible by separating the upper part of the stomach from the rest of it with either the use of staples or plastic bonding. A small pouch is then created which is then connected to the lower end of the small intestines. This act would entail bypassing most of the absorption process which would supposedly take place on the middle and upper part of the small intestines. Also, by bypassing the upper end of the small intestines, a distinctive “Y” connection of the amputated intestine to the rest of the intestines makes it possible for proper digestion to take place since the necessary digestive juices is still delivered. The act of bypassing the intestines reduces the calorie intake of the patient, thus reducing fat absorption.
The pouch created inside your body will hold as your stomach and will be as big as a walnut. The pouch can hold only an ounce of food thus making it the reason why Roux-en-Y is effective in losing weight for obese patients. The pouch or now the patient’s small stomach is physically separated to the patient’s original stomach. The surgeon cuts the small intestines then directly sews the portion at the pouch. This connection redirects the way of the food, bypassing most of the patient’s stomach and the first section of the patient’s intestine. The food enters at the second portion of the of the patient’s small intestine. The bypassing of food through the stomach limits the patient’s ability to absorb calories. Even though food never enters the lower part of the body, the stomach stays healthy and secretes juices to mix with food that is inside the patient’s small intestines.
After the surgery, the patient will most likely undergo another upper GI to make sure that there are no complications. After the test the patient can now drink amount of water and can be discharged the next day. There will also be appointments weekly and will be scheduled by the patient’s doctor to see the changes and the health of the patient.
Light activities at home are encouraged by the doctors such as walking up and down the stairs, shower and any normal activities for this would help as an exercise for the body after the operation. Driving is not allowed if the doctor has prescribed the patient of a narcotic drug. Returning to work is accepted in due time of 2-3 weeks and must now overdo himself/herself at work.
