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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

For many years, gastric bypass surgery has provided a reliable means for individuals to achieve substantial weight loss, experience improved well-being, and enhance their overall health. At the Baptist Health Bariatrics Center, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (or RYGB) is one of the trusted weight loss surgery options we offer. 

RYGB has been helping to change lives for decades, one surgery at a time. If you've been seeking a safe and effective way to lose weight and embrace a healthier future, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery may be the right choice for you.

What Is a Gastric Bypass?

A gastric bypass is a type of weight loss surgery. In this procedure, our skilled surgeons divide your stomach into two parts: one very small pouch and a larger, unused section. Then, a part of your small intestine is rerouted and connected to the small stomach pouch. This changes how food moves through your digestive system, helping you absorb fewer calories and leading to lasting weight loss.

We perform these procedures using minimally invasive techniques whenever possible, which typically means smaller incisions, less pain, and a quicker recovery. Most patients comfortably go home within two to three days after gastric bypass surgery.

How Does a Gastric Bypass Work?

Gastric bypass works by changing two key things: it reduces the size of your stomach, and it changes how your body digests food.

  • Smaller Meals: By making your stomach much smaller, you'll feel full after eating much less food.
  • Changed Digestion: Rerouting the digestive tract limits how many calories and nutrients your body absorbs from the food you eat. This also improves the way your gut hormones work. These hormones help you feel full, reduce hunger, and can even reverse the hormonal changes that cause type 2 diabetes in people with obesity.

Together, these changes lead to eating less, absorbing fewer calories, and improved hormone function, all contributing to significant weight loss.

Our surgeons often consider gastric bypass procedures as a first choice because of their high success rates and the way they help patients achieve faster weight loss. Most patients typically lose 70% to 85% of their excess weight in the first one to two years after surgery.

Who Can Benefit from Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Our caring team will thoroughly review your health history to determine if gastric bypass is the right option for you. Generally, candidates for this procedure meet similar criteria to those for other bariatric surgeries, including:

  • A Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, or a BMI over 35 along with significant weight-related health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, severe sleep apnea, or high blood pressure.
  • A history of trying other weight loss methods without long-term success.
  • A strong commitment to making permanent healthy lifestyle changes.
  • The ability to follow pre- and post-surgery diet and exercise guidelines.

Life After Gastric Bypass: Our Partnership in Your Success

Gastric bypass is a highly effective and sought-after surgery. However, it's important that patients are willing to commit to lifelong lifestyle changes after the procedure. Because of the significant changes to your digestive system, you will need to fully embrace a new way of eating and living. Returning to old eating habits can lead to an uncomfortable condition called "dumping syndrome," where you might experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach distress.

Additionally, these changes can affect how your body absorbs certain vitamins and minerals. It is crucial to take supplements as recommended by your doctor to avoid potentially serious deficiencies. Our multidisciplinary team, including experienced dietitians and support staff, will be there to provide ongoing guidance and resources to help you navigate these changes successfully and live your healthiest life.

Ready to explore if Gastric Bypass Surgery is right for you?