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The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass can be performed as an "open"
operation or with a minimally invasive technique using
laparoscopes. It generally lasts two to three hours, with
the patient under general anesthesia. If an open technique
is being used, the surgeon will make an incision that
runs from the breast bone to the navel. If a laparoscopic
technique is utilized, small incisions will be made in
the patient's abdomen through which special instrumentation
can be passed to visualize the area and perform the necessary
surgery. As shown in the illustration below (2),
the stomach is surgically stapled to create the small
pouch. The surgeon attaches a section of the small intestine
to the pouch (3), enabling food to bypass the duodenum
(the first part of the small intestine) and the first
part of the jejunum (the second segment of the small
intestine). The surgeon then connects the two pieces
of small intestine "side-by-side" in a Y fashion
completing the Roux-en-Y bypass (4).
Patients can expect to be out of bed on the evening
of the day of surgery, with a total hospitalization
stay of about 3-4 days. The surgical recovery period
averages about 3-5 weeks. Until the first followup visit
with the physician (usually at 10 days), the patient's
diet is limited to liquids. Soft foods are introduced
at that time.
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| 1. |
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The normal appearance of
the stomach and first part of the small intestine.
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| 2. |
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Making the stomach smaller
by stapling a small pouch near the top. |
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| 3. |
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Connecting a piece of small
intestine to the stomach pouch. |
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4.
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Reconnecting the small intestine
to allow the passage of food. |
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5.
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View after the "bypass"
is complete. |
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The
Surgical Option
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