Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery physically reduces the size of your stomach (melon to tangerine). There will be some alteration in nutrient and vitamin absorption from the intestine and will be performed by keyhole (laparoscopic) surgery, which only leaves a few small scars.
Gastric bypass restricts the size of the stomach helping patients to feel fuller sooner and due to some malabsorption, food will meet the digestive juices later in the process. Changes occur in the hormones released from the bowel and stomach which control the feeling of hunger.
Advantages:
- Most commonly performed obesity operation for morbid obesity
- Has excellent results
- Can resolve type 2 diabetes in up to 80% of cases
Disadvantages
- Major operation that alters the anatomy of your stomach
- Long term vitamin supplementation and blood tests required
- Long term follow-up essential
- Some late regain in weight
- Significant weight loss may result in excess skin requiring cosmetic surgery
The Risks
- Bleeding (1-5%)
- Anastomotic leak (join) (1-3%)
- Chance of vitamin or mineral deficiency, avoided by taking supplements
- Dumping (30%) - when sweet foods cause you to sweat and feel faint
- Hair thinning
The Results
- Average long term excess weight loss of 60%
You need to…
- Be committed to losing weight. It will change how you eat.
- Have regular blood tests
- Take your vitamin supplements
- Attend your follow-up appointments