Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

This type of surgery is used for obesity reduction. The surgery will restrict food ingestion, followed by physical restrictions in regard to the absorption of food. Intake becomes limited by means of a small pouch that is created by the surgeon.

Staples are used to create the small pouch that is left just large enough to hold one ounce of food. The larger part of the stomach is then left the way it was, but understand that all foods begin their movement through the patient’s body through the use of this exceedingly small pouch.

In Roux-en-Y, the second step with regards to this procedure now involves sectioning the small intestine just beneath the duodenum, which is actually the first section of the small intestine. Following this the second part of the small intestine, known as the jejunum, can be pulled up to be ultimately connected to that recently fashioned pouch.

Next the duodenum will be reconnected to the innovative intestinal appendage, which will give the intestine a “Y” form. Because of this very appearance, the procedure is named Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Because the duodenum’s job is to be the first organ where actual chemical digestion takes place, it is extremely important to reroute food from there in order to create weight loss. This is what prevents nutrients and calories from being absorbed.

There will be significant weight loss, however, one needs to be aware that this unfortunately creates problems of its own. Because the duodenum’s job is now so restricted due to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, nutrients that the patient once received through the food that was eaten no longer can be absorbed by the body.

Thus, because the body no longer receives various minerals, and more importantly fat-soluble vitamins, this creates a very dire need for the patient to be given a complex set of vitamins for the remainder of the patient’s life in order to prevent complications such as nutritional deficiencies, hernias and what’s known as the “dumping syndrome.”

Nutritional deficiencies caused by Roux-en-Y can encompass Wernicke encephalopathy which is caused by a lack of thiamine, also known as B-1, as well as Hyperparathyroidism, a lack of calcium absorption, iron deficiencies that cause severe anemia, lack of vitamin B12 causing neuropathies, thiamine deficiency which may cause beriberi, protein malnutrition causing tremendous losses of muscle mass, as well as Vitamin A deficiencies.

Unless the patient was given laparoscopic surgery, hernias are a common occurrence. A hernia can arise due to the arrangements made in the stomach, and bowels, thus it may cause bowel obstruction.

“Dumping Syndrome” refers to the fast intake of sugars that may be ingested by the patient. Because food is no longer regulated to enter the bowel slowly due to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the patient may exhibit some alarming symptoms including but not limited to severe heart palpitations, cold sweats, and tremendous anxiety. Usually the patient will need to even lie down for a while, after which the patient ordinarily suffers from diarrhea.

Anyone who is considering receiving a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass is suggested to perform a tremendous amount of research, and even seek a second opinion.

We have additional information on this subject you may be interested in reading: laparoscopic gastric bypass and infant acid reflux

Roux En Y

gastric bypass roux en y

Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB)

Related Articles: