Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass bariatric surgery is also known as just a gastric bypass. It is currently seen as the “gold standard” treatment for weight loss. Experienced bariatric surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre provides a range of weight loss procedures to patients in Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and surrounding locations.

How does it Work?

In a regular digestion process, the food goes through the stomach and then proceeds to the small intestine. Most of the calories and nutrients are absorbed in the small intestine. Then the food enters the large intestine. After that, the leftover waste is excreted out of the body.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery only uses a tiny part of the stomach to develop a new stomach which is approximately the same size as an egg. This new, smaller stomach is joined to the mid part of the small intestine (jejunum) directly. This means that the food bypasses the remaining part of the stomach and the top portion of the duodenum or small intestine.

This surgery is undertaken by placing many precise incisions. The surgeon uses small tools and a camera to provide guidance to the surgery. This is also known as a laparoscopic approach.

Surgical Procedure

Primarily, there are two parts to the Roux-en-Y procedure. The surgeon initially creates a small stomach pocket which is about thirty ml or one ounce in volume. This small pouch is formed by dividing the upper portion of the stomach from the whole stomach. Then, the upper part of the small intestine is divided. The lower part of the small intestine is now pulled up and joined to the new stomach pouch.

The surgery is complete when the upper portion of the small intestine, which has been divided, is connected to the lower portion of the small intestine. This enables digestive enzymes and stomach acids from the divided part of the stomach and the initial portion of the small intestine to mix with the food.

Various factors help the gastric bypass surgery work. Firstly, just as in other bariatric surgeries, the new stomach pouch is significantly smaller. This enables the patient to consume smaller meals leading to weight loss.

Furthermore, the new, small stomach digests lesser amounts of food. There is also a portion of the small intestine that does not access food anymore. This may mean that there is a lesser absorption of nutrients and calories.

Significantly, the redirection of the food through the digestive system generates alterations in the gut. These changes enhance satiety, suppress feelings of hunger, and address one of the central mechanisms through which obesity leads to type 2 diabetes.

Benefits

Some advantages of the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery are:

• Enables major weight loss in the long-run, and almost 60 to 80 percent of surplus weight is lost
• Restricts food intake
• May cause conditions leading to more energy expenditure
• Creates good changes in gut hormones which improve satiety and suppress the appetite
• Maintains more than 50 percent of surplus weight loss

Committed bariatric surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre receives patients from Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and nearby areas for weight loss procedures.

Important Note: If the weight is regained, diabetes and other conditions could return.

To find out more about the procedures & treatments performed by Orlando Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Call 321-499-6505 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.