Gastric bypass, also known as Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, is a bariatric or weight loss surgery for obese patients who have not been successful losing weight through dieting, exercise and medication.
The surgery uses a combination of restrictive and malabsorptive techniques to achieve a successful outcome. Staples are used to create a smaller stomach to limit the amount of food intake, and a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed to limit the nutrients and calories absorbed.
The goal of the surgery is to make you feel full quicker so you don’t overeat, and absorb fewer calories by the modifications made in the small intestine.
Gastric bypass surgery has been shown to help reduce obesity and related illnesses, including heart disease, high blood pressure, and especially type 2 diabetes.
It can be performed laparoscopically through tiny incisions (minimally invasive technique) or through a large open incision (open technique).