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Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RNY):

This surgery involves creating a small (less than one ounce) vertically oriented stomach pouch, as well as a bypass of most of the stomach and a varying amount of small intestine (see figure). As a result, weight loss is accomplished both by restriction of food and by malabsorption of nutrients. Ingestion of concentrated sugar is also essentially prohibited because doing so results in "dumping." Dumping is a group of unpleasant symptoms that resembles food poisoning (nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, flushing, and palpitations) that occurs when simple sugars enter the small intestine without first being properly digested by the stomach. Many people also report diminished appetite after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, as well as a change in the taste of food. These are additional ways the gastric bypass causes weight loss. Following RNY surgery, patients are at risk for developing anemia because of poor absorption of iron and vitamin B12. Therefore, dietary supplementation of these nutrients is required. Poor absorption of calcium may also occur. Thus, calcium supplements must also be taken postoperatively.

Since the staples at the top of the stomach completely block off the lower portion of the stomach and the upper small intestine, there is no easy way to evaluate these portions of the gastrointestinal tract should a problem -- such as ulcer, bile duct stones, or cancer -- arise at a future time. In fact, although this could be a very real problem, it seldom becomes as issue.

Weight loss commonly reaches 75% of a person's excess body weight. As in all weight loss surgery, however, the amount of weight loss is not guaranteed. In fact, there is no guarantee that the patient will lose any weight at all. The amount of weight a patient loses depends not only upon the surgery, but also upon what the patient does with the surgery. The surgery is not a cure for morbid obesity; it is merely a tool. Patients have been known to ingest large quantities of high caloric foods that can result in less than satisfactory weight loss. If a patient adheres to the dietary requirements of their surgeon, and if exercise becomes a part of the patient's regular routine, a substantial weight loss usually results. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass routinely necessitates a stay of four or five days in the hospital.

As in any sort of major surgery, there is a certain amount of risk. It is important to consider these risks when deciding to have weight loss surgery. Operative risks are: death (0.5%), leaks or perforation causing internal infection and need for reoperation (0.6%), wound infection (2 %), and pulmonary embolism (0.1%).
 

Laparoscopic RNY procedure:

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is identical to the traditional gastric bypass except that instead of being performed through an incision extending from the lowest aspect of the breastbone (xiphoid process) to the umbilicus (navel), it is performed through several smaller incisions each measuring about an inch or less in length. A laparoscope connected to a video camera is inserted into the abdominal cavity and the surgical field is visualized on video monitors in the operating room. Long thin surgical instruments are inserted through additional small incisions and the surgeon performs the surgery by watching the video monitor.

The advantages to performing the gastric bypass laparoscopically are that it yields cosmetically superior results and the recovery is faster. Some long-term problems, such as incisional hernias, may also occur less frequently. One disadvantage of laparoscopy is that sometimes, because of difficulty in visualization, the operation must be converted to an open procedure in order to complete the operation safely. This decision, of course, is made during the course of the operation while the patient is under anesthesia, so the patient must be aware of this possibility before the surgery starts. Another disadvantage is that the incidence of leakage from the surgical staple lines may be more common in the postoperative period. Leakage from the staple line is a serious complication and often necessitates additional surgery, usually using a traditional incision, and prolonged hospitalization, and sometimes even death.

Results Substantial weigh loss occurs in the great majority of patients after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RNY) and to a lesser extent, the vertical banded gastroplasty. The vast majority of patients are satisfied or very satisfied with the results of the surgery. Losing about 50% of one's excess weight is considered a satisfactory weight loss, although weight loss after RNY frequently approximates 75% of excess weight. After losing this amount of weight, patients usually feel physically and mentally better. Preoperative comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, stress incontinence, back pain, knee pain, heel spurs, sleep apnea and other complications of obesity are usually either improved or eliminated altogether.