Laparoscopic Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass is a combination procedure that uses both restrictive (it limits the size of the stomach) and malabsorptive (it limits the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed) elements.
If your surgery is done laparoscopically, five small holes are created in your abdomen that allow the surgeon to pass a light, camera and surgical instruments into the abdomen. The abdomen is inflated with gas (carbon dioxide) to allow the surgeon a better view. Then the surgeon uses surgical instruments about the width of a pencil to bypass a portion of the stomach and leaves a small pouch to hold about ¼ cup of solid food or about 2 ounces of fluid. A connection is then made directly into the small intestine where digestion begins.
After surgery, you will have a two- to four-day hospital stay and a three- to four-week recovery period at home.
