Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
at Cedar Park Surgeons, PA (near Austin)
When performed by professionals such as Alan Abando, M.D., or Nicole Basa, M.D., obesity surgery can result in a life-changing transformation. After surgery, patients experience renewed health, increased mobility, and dramatically improved quality of life. One of the procedures that Cedar Park Surgeons, PA offers is Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, which reroutes the digestive tract and restricts the capacity of the stomach to help patients effectively lose a significant amount of weight. Our surgeons use a laparoscopic approach on appropriate candidates. Learn more about minimally invasive laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery at our Cedar Park practice near Austin; if you are interested in determining whether you are an appropriate candidate for the surgery, contact our bariatric surgeon team to attend a free bariatric seminar.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery combines malabsorptive and restrictive elements of bariatric surgery for increased effectiveness. The restrictive element of the surgery reduces the functioning capacity of the stomach, thus decreasing the amount of food that can be taken in. The malabsorptive component reroutes the digestive tract to limit the absorption and digestion of calories and nutrients. After surgery, patients feel full earlier during meals and lose weight rapidly in the year that follows.
During the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, our surgeons staple a portion of the stomach together to create a small pouch where the food will enter. The pouch is only large enough to hold a few ounces of food. Our surgeon reattaches the pouch to the central portion of the small intestine, bypassing the lower part of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine. Because the food will now bypass these areas, the absorption of calories is greatly reduced. However, because the new tract bypasses the duodenum, certain minerals and vitamins are not absorbed either, so patients typically need to take a nutritional supplement regularly after surgery to stay strong and healthy.