Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery

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Gastric bypass surgery reduces the size of your stomach. It is a way to limit the amount of food you eat by helping you feel full with a smaller amount of food.

This surgery requires major, life-long changes in your eating habits and your attitude about food. This is not a "one-time shot."

Every day, you will need to make the right food and exercise choices. If you do not choose well, the surgery will not help control obesity.

What's gastric bypass surgery?

This surgery has a number of names: obesity surgery, bariatric surgery and weight loss surgery. The medical name is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. It changes the size of your stomach to help you succeed at long-term weight loss. Part of your small intestine is bypassed, which also helps with your overall weight loss.

Your doctor will reduce the size of your stomach with this surgery.

• Your stomach will be stapled and then divided, making two different sections: the new stomach pouch and the bypassed stomach.
• Part of your small intestine will be separated and attached to the stomach pouch so your food will go right into the small intestine after it goes through the stomach pouch.
• The bypassed stomach will then be sewn closed, but will continue to produce acid and digestive juices.

Because the small intestine is separated and part of it is attached to your new stomach pouch, it will look like a "Y" and that’s where the surgery got the "Y" in its name.

This surgery cuts down the amount of food and liquid your stomach can hold at one time. As a result, your stomach can only hold about 1 to 2 tablespoons of food at the beginning. As you fill this pouch, a signal is sent to your brain that you feel "satisfied" and should stop eating. If you try to eat too much or too quickly, you may vomit or feel a wave of nausea or abdominal pain.

Are there risks to this surgery?

This surgery does carry risks. Possible complications include infection, bleeding, anesthesia risks, hernia, ulcers, clogging and decreased absorption of some vitamins and minerals.

Death and other risks from this surgery are slight (about 1 percent), about the same as that for other major abdominal surgeries.

Read about possible problems after gastric bypass surgery.

Is there a chance you could regain weight?

You will always have a tendency to regain weight after the surgery. While you have the responsibility to continue your weight loss, the bariatric program staff will always be available to help you.

Patients may sometimes become frustrated and discouraged when their weight levels (plateau). Please think of the bariatric program staff as your coach and friend. Seek their support whenever you need it.

A low-fat, low-sugar, low-calorie diet and routine exercise will help you make this surgery a success.

Related Links

Eating after gastric bypass surgery

Exercise is important after gastric bypass surgery

Possible problems after gastric bypass surgery

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: What You Need to Know Before and After Surgery (52-page handbook)

First published: 01/21/2005
Last updated: 01/21/2006

Reviewed by: Allina Patient Education experts