What is a Gastric Bypass or Roux en Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)?
Our patients may decide gastric bypass surgery is right for them. This combines making a smaller gastric reservoir with staples, with a bypass of the first portion of the small intestine. As a result, eating behavior is altered for several reasons. Since the storage capacity of the stomach is reduced, and the outlet is restricted, a person gets full fast. In addition, food enters the small bowel without mixing with the digestive juices from the liver and pancreas. As a result food high in sugar and fat is not efficiently digested or absorbed and some of the calories are not absorbed. Most surgeons who specialize in bariatric surgery have shifted to a gastric bypass. However, the increased weight loss comes at a cost. Disadvantages include an increased risk of nutrient deficiency and, occasionally, malnutrition. There is no perfect operation, and the experienced obesity surgeon tries to maximize weight loss without risking malnutrition and vitamin and mineral deficiency. All patients af
