Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, a type of bariatric surgery, is a surgical weight-loss procedure that alters the process of digestion. The procedure involves stapling the stomach to create a small pouch that holds less food and then shaping a portion of the small intestine into a "Y." The "Y" portion of intestine is then connected to the stomach pouch so that when food is being digested it travels directly into the lower part of the small intestine. The pouch will usually hold about one ounce of food or less, which causes a feeling of fullness after just a few bites. The surgery can be done laproscopically, which means smaller incisions, faster recovery and less pain.

Laparoscopic Procedure
Our team performs the Roux-en-Y surgery using laparoscopic techniques. The laparoscopic surgical method requires five to six small incisions while performing the operation by observation through a small camera (scope). Compared with the traditional "open" gastric bypass, the laparoscopic technique can lead to a shorter hospital stay and a quicker recover. While not everyone is eligible for laparoscopic gastric bypass, our head surgeon will recommend the best surgical option depending on your individual situation.

Candidate Requirements for Laparoscopic Procedure
• Men who are 100 pounds over their ideal body weight or women who are 80 pounds over their ideal body weight.
• Persons with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 40 — find out your BMI.
• Persons with a BMI between 35 and 40 who have another condition such as obesity-related type II diabetes, sleep apnea or heart disease.

a) Better wound healing
b) Faster recovery
c) Less pain
d) Less pain medication
e) Less scarring

The first step in obtaining weight-loss surgery with our team is to fill out the START HERE form so that we can schedule a phone consultation with one of our doctors to provide information about the surgery, other treatment options, program requirements, lifestyle changes, risks, potential complications and benefits.

During your phone consultation you will be given the opportunity to ask all questions necessary to help you make an educated and informed decision about whether surgery is the right path for you. We recommend that patients visit the National Institutes of Health web site to learn more about the different options available for weight loss surgery patients and be prepared to ask all the right questions.

Learn more about the Roux-en Y gastric bypass procedure by reading the frequently asked questions.