What Is a Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass?
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery that makes your stomach smaller and reroutes your intestines. You feel full faster, so you eat less. It can also affect how you absorb calories and your digestion.
Gastric bypass has two parts:
-
During the procedure, your surgeon makes your stomach smaller. They create a small, egg-shaped pouch out of the walls of the top of your stomach.
-
They connect this pouch to the an early part of your small intestine. After surgery, the food you eat bypasses most of your stomach and the first part of your small intestine.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass vs. Sleeve Gastrectomy
Both a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass and sleeve gastrectomy reduce your stomach size. In a sleeve gastrectomy, your surgeon removes part of your stomach to create a sleeve-like shape. They don’t reroute your intestines. There may be reasons not to do this based on your specific, personal medical history.
There are several pros and cons of both types of bariatric surgery. Your surgeon will help you determine the right procedure based on your health risks, concerns, and preferences.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Requirements for Surgery
Your body mass index (BMI) and overall health determine whether you’re a candidate for bariatric surgery. You may qualify for bariatric surgery if you have a high BMI with or without weight-related health conditions.
- You may qualify if your BMI is 35 or higher.*
- You may also qualify if your BMI is 30 or higher and you have a health condition.*
- Coronary artery disease
- Diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High fats in your blood (hyperlipidemia)
- Osteoarthritis
- Sleep apnea
*Please note that some insurance plans may require a BMI of 40 or a BMI of 35 with a related health condition. Check with your insurance provider to learn whether you qualify for surgery.
Find a Bariatric Surgeon
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery: What to Expect
You will undergo a thorough evaluation before gastric bypass surgery. You will also prepare with at least three months of nutrition counseling and education. An exercise physiologist and a psychologist will meet with you to ensure you’re ready for surgery.
Our surgeons use minimally invasive techniques (laparoscopic or robotic) to perform Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. This means your surgeon will operate through small incisions (cuts) instead of one large incision.
There are several steps to a gastric bypass:
-
You will receive anesthesia so you remain asleep during surgery.
-
Your surgeon will make several cuts in your abdomen where they will insert surgical tools.
-
Your surgeon will use surgical stapling technology to seal off a one-ounce-sized pouch at the top of your stomach.
-
They will connect the beginning part your small intestine directly to this small stomach pouch.
Surgery usually lasts about 2–2½ hours. You will stay in the hospital overnight.
Recovery and Care After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Surgery
Initial recovery time after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is about two weeks. Your timeline for recovery and diet changes will take several months.
-
Week 1: You will have some pain for about 5–7 days after surgery.
-
Week 1–2: You will need to follow a liquid diet.
-
Week 3–6: You will follow a soft solid diet until six weeks after your liquid diet. This includes foods like bananas, mashed potatoes, or canned vegetables.
-
Week 6: You can eat a general bariatric diet including whole cuts of meat and raw vegetables.
-
12 weeks: Most people will feel more fatigue than usual for up to three months after surgery. It may take several weeks for you to return to work, depending on the type of job you have.
You will see your surgeon for follow-up appointments at specific intervals after surgery:
-
Two weeks
-
Six weeks
-
Three months
-
Six months
-
One year, then annually
We will perform blood tests and a nutritional evaluation at your 3-month, 6-month, and annual appointments. These tests help ensure you’re staying healthy after surgery.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Diet
You must make long-term diet changes for gastric bypass to be successful. Your surgical team will advise you:
-
Fiber—Most people need 25–30 grams of fiber daily. You should aim for 15 grams of fiber for every 1,000 calories.
-
Meal times—You need to eat three times daily. Have small snacks between meals.
-
Portion sizes—Limit your portions to about one cup.
-
Protein—Make sure most or all of your meals contain protein. You should aim for at least 60 grams of protein daily.
-
Water—You should drink at least 64 ounces of water daily.
It’s also vital to limit your alcohol consumption after gastric bypass surgery. Alcohol passes to your bloodstream more quickly after gastric bypass. It is about three times stronger. Your surgeon may recommend other ways to lose weight if you drink alcohol regularly.
Pregnancy After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Research shows that any weight loss surgery usually increases fertility for men and women. But, specialists recommend that women avoid pregnancy for 1–2 years after bariatric surgery. These two years are a period of rapid weight loss. You have a higher risk of nutritional deficiencies in this period. Those deficiencies could affect your baby.
Weight Loss After Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
You will lose weight most quickly in the first six months after gastric bypass. Weight loss usually slows over the 12–24 months after surgery.
Gastric bypass helps many patients lose a significant amount of their excess body weight long-term. Excess body weight refers to the weight you carry above your ideal body weight. Ideal body weight is a standard medical measurement of health. People who have gastric bypass can typically expect good results:
-
Patients lose about 60–80% of excess body weight in 12–24 months.
-
Most patients gain back less than 15% of excess body weight after 5–10 years.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Side Effects and Complications
You may experience some side effects after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Some side effects are beneficial, and you can avoid complications with proper care of your body.
-
Dumping syndrome: This condition occurs when your stomach empties its contents too quickly. This causes bloating, cramping, diarrhea, and can lead to low blood sugar. You can prevent dumping syndrome when you eat smaller meals and less sugary foods. Dumping syndrome often helps patients avoid sugary foods and keep their weight off.
-
Ulcers: Ulcers are open sores in the lining of your stomach, small intestine, or esophagus. Avoid smoking and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is the only bariatric surgery that effectively treats heartburn. Many people who are candidates for bariatric surgery struggle with heartburn, also called acid reflux. Heartburn relief may help you decide whether gastric bypass is right for you.
Is Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Safe?
Specialists first started performing gastric bypass in the late 1960s. Because it’s been around so long, we have reliable data that shows how successful and safe it is.
Research shows gastric bypass carries similar risk levels to having your gallbladder removed. Experts consider gallbladder removal as a safe procedure with low complication risks.
Revisional Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Revisional Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is a surgery to change or repair a previous weight loss surgery. Some people may need revision surgery if they have complications or their weight loss isn’t as expected. Our surgeons offer revision procedures to help you get optimal results.
Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Cost
The cost of Roux-en-Y gastric bypass depends on your insurance. Different insurance plans require different criteria for coverage. Our team includes a full-time insurance specialist. The specialist will help you understand these requirements and the overall costs of bariatric surgery.
You may pay for bariatric surgery out-of-pocket if your insurance plan doesn’t cover it or you don’t have insurance. Please contact our program if you have any questions.
Why Choose University of Utah Health?
The bariatric surgery program at U of U Health is a comprehensive obesity treatment program. We work with a diverse team of experts so we can fully support every part of your weight loss journey. We are also the only program in the Mountain West region where you have access to every specialist in one location. Our team includes multiple experts:
-
Dietitians with special training in bariatric surgery
-
Exercise physiologists
-
Sleep medicine specialists
-
An insurance specialist
We also work closely with liver and heart specialists to coordinate every evaluation you need. Our bariatric surgery team uses evidence-based treatments with a record of successful outcomes. We commit to find the best way for you to lose weight long-term.
Make an Appointment
You must attend one of our free bariatric surgery seminars before scheduling an appointment with our bariatric surgeons.
Start the Process
Do I Qualify for Bariatric Surgery?
Bariatric surgery isn't for people who are mildly overweight. Instead, it's for severely obese people who are 100 pounds or more overweight and their health is at risk.
What Weight Loss Surgery Is Best For Me?
There are several types of bariatric surgery. Choosing the best surgery for you will depend on your weight loss goals and preferences.
Start the Process
If you're thinking about weight loss surgery, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. We help make the process as easy as possible.
Self-Pay Options
If your insurance doesn't cover bariatric surgery, you can pay for it using our self-pay option.
Meet Our Patients
Finding a New Quality of Life after Gastric Bypass Surgery
“It has been a hard road, but it has been the best thing I ever did for myself.” This is how DeAnn Barfuss describes the emotional weight loss journey she embarked upon two years ago after deciding to undergo gastric bypass surgery.
