Gastric Bypass (RNY)

What Is Gastric Bypass Surgery?

Gastric bypass surgery is a procedure that essentially makes the stomach smaller.  The surgeon literally bypasses a section of the digestive track, thereby reducing the amount one can eat.   Roux-en-Y bypass, also known as the RNY gastric bypass surgery, is the most common gastric bypass surgery performed.   

During digestion, food passes through the stomach into the small intestine (where nutrients and calories are absorbed).  Thereafter, the food moves into the large intestines before leaving the body as waste. The surgeon uses either staples or a band to help shrink (partition) the stomach during RNY gastric bypass surgery.  The surgeon then attaches this smaller stomach directly to the middle part of the small intestine called the jejunum, bypassing the upper portion of the small intestine and the rest of the stomach.    

RNY gastric bypass surgery can be performed as an open procedure or using laparoscopic technology.  RNY gastric bypass surgery requires about 6 days of hospitalization for an open approach and approximately 3 days for a laparoscopic procedure.  Patients can normally resume pre-operative activities in 3-5 weeks.  Weight loss after RNY gastric bypass surgery starts almost immediately and continues for approximately 12 months (depending on the diet, activity, and metabolism of the patient).