Roux-en-Y Surgery
The name, Roux-en-Y, is derived from the surgeon that first described it (Cesar Roux) and the stick-figure representation of it - diagramatically, the Roux-en-Y anastomosis looks like the letter Y, hence the name, Roux-en-Y.
Over the last 20 years the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery has been successfully used as one of many surgical treatments to achieve significant long term weight loss. The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass has been performed for ulcers, tumors and weight loss for almost a century. In the United States, it is the most common and widely accepted weight loss operation.
Roux-en-Y Surgery - How It Works
The top portion of the stomach is separated and stapled off from the larger, lower portion of the stomach, creating a restrictive one-ounce pouch. The pouch is then connected to a channel of intestine that carries only food, causing food to bypass the rest of the stomach and a section of the small intestine. The intestine is divided into two distinct channels
to prevent food and digestive juices from mixing, resulting in malabsorption of calories from food.
Ideal Candidates for Roux-en-Y Surgery
- Has BMI between 35-55 kg/m2
- Has had diabetes less than 3 years
- May have severe and prolonged medical conditions (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol)
Benefits of Roux-en-Y Surgery
- Average excess weight loss is 70-90%
- 2 hour procedure with overnight hospital stay
- Recovery time ranges from a few days to a few weeks
- High success rate of addressing diabetes and other weight-related metabolic conditions
- Approximately 100-200 calories may be lost per day through malabsorption
- Should be strongly considered by those who weigh more or who have severe medical problems
- Procedure is reversible
- Often covered by insurance plans
Considerations / Risks of Roux-en-Y Surgery
- Although major complications are rare, future complications may occur
- Late complications include ulcers, intestinal obstructions, and vitamin deficiency
- Patients should not smoke, consume alcohol, or take NSAID medications (Ibuprofen, Advil®, Aleve®, Aspirin®)
About Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation
Consult a Top Bariatric Surgeon
Sutter Pacific Medical Foundation, part of the Sutter Health network, offers bariatric surgery for weight loss. Our team performs surgery at California Pacific Medical Center (CPMC). Procedures include gastric bypass, gastric banding with LAP-BAND® or REALIZE® and stomach stapling procedures. Our weight loss surgeon performs bariatric, gastroenterology and endocrine surgery on patients from San Francisco Bay Area cities including San Francisco, Marin, San Mateo, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and beyond.
San Francisco Weight Loss, GI & Endocrine Surgery Office (MAP)
1375 Sutter Street, Ste 208, San Francisco, CA 94109
Tel. 415-923-3200 Fax. 415-923-3205
Marin Weight Loss, GI & Endocrine Surgery Office
101 Rowland Way, Ste 220, Novato, CA 94595
Tel. 415-923-3200 Fax. 415-923-3205
