Gastric Bypass Surgery

Divided Roux-en -Y ("roo-en-y") Gastric Bypass

The stomach pouch is designed to hold 1-2 ounces (the size of an egg). Early distention of the pouch by solid food sends a stronger signal to the brain to turn off hunger and maintain a sense of fullness on less food. The bypass portion of small bowel (Alimentary limb on the diagram) is generally two feet long.

Channeling the food away from its normal route to the duodenum and the first part of the small bowel, give additional signals of fullness. Finally, the typical slowdown in the body's metabolic rate is inhibited by various signals from the new intestinal food route. With this procedure, the common channel segment of bowel where food mixes with the fat-absorbing bile and pancreatic digestive enzymes is relatively long. With that, there is little limitation to calorie absorption of the food ingested but supplementation of daily vitamins, calcium, iron and B12 injections are required. Many patients are able to continue long-term weight loss averages of 60-70% of the excess body weight five to fifteen years after the surgery. This procedure can be done with an open incision or through a laparoscope. The risk of serious complication is about 5%, and the risk of death with either type of operation is about one-half of one percent or 1 in 200.

OHSU is the premier bariatric surgery center for the treatment of obesity in Portland, Oregon. We look forward to serving you. Please contact us at 503-494-1983.

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