Learn More about Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass also referred to as the gastric bypass is actually an effective surgical treatment best for morbid obesity.

What is the first step towards gastric bypass surgery?

First of all, you have got to make sure that gastric bypass surgery would be the right option for you. Seek help from healthcare professionals in assessing your condition.  Weight-loss surgery is certainly not recommended to patients who abuse alcohol or medicines. Moreover, if you are not serious about committing to a lifelong lifestyle and dietary changes, you are certainly not the right candidate for the gastric bypass surgery.

What are the preparations for the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass gastric bypass surgery?

You must enrol yourself in any ‘Bariatric Surgery Education Program’. It is essential to do this as it would assist you in mentally getting prepared for the surgery. You would also be educated about how things would be after the surgery. You would be provided nutritional counselling. Besides getting numerous physical tests and examinations done, you also need to go through a psychological assessment. You would need to get blood tests done. Upper endoscopy or your stomach’s imaging studies could also be advised.

Stop smoking few months before the surgery. You may be advised by your surgeon to lose weight before performing the surgery. This is recommended for making your surgery safer by making your liver relatively smaller than before. Stop the use of ibuprofen, aspirin and blood-thinning medicines a few days in advance. Stop consuming any food or fluids past midnight before the surgery date.

What does Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery involve??

The surgery would be taking several hours. General anaesthesia would be administered. It would be a laparoscopic surgery involving many small incisions in the abdomen. A laparoscopic stapler would be used for making a really small stomach pouch. The stapler would be used for dividing the small intestine’s upper part into a tube consisting two ends. One of the small intestine ends would be brought to the small stomach pouch. Both of them would be connected. Then the small intestine’s other end is connected to another portion of your small intestine. Then leakage tests are done by your surgeon using an upper endoscopy or a dye test.

What happens post the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery?

You may be required to be in the hospital for a day or two post the surgery. Consult your doctor regarding safe pain relievers, wound care and when to resume normal life and usual physical activities. Your doctor would be advising you about the frequency of changing the dressing on the incision.

For the first couple of weeks, you would be on a liquid diet. Soft food would be included slowly and only after a month post-surgery, you may be allowed to consume regular food. You must chew your food completely and very slowly. Avoid drinking water 30 minutes before the surgery is initiated or 30 minutes after the surgery has been performed.

Weight loss could be quick and drastic, so you would be requiring proper nutrition and effective vitamins as you recuperate. You may be advised to consume mineral supplements and vitamins that would no longer be absorbed well by your body automatically from food alone.