Gastric bypass surgery has long been a dependable option for those looking to lose weight, look better, and feel better. One of the weight loss surgery options offered by Baptist Health Bariatrics Center is the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (or RYGB). RYGB has been changing lives, one surgery at a time, for decades. If you have been seeking a safe and effective way to lose weight, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery may be the right choice for you.
What Is a Gastric Bypass?
A gastric bypass is a form of bariatric surgery. In this procedure, the stomach is divided into one small and one large pouch. The small intestine is subsequently bypassed to restructure the digestive tract to facilitate lasting weight loss. We perform minimally-invasive procedures whenever possible, working to minimize recovery and maximize effectiveness. Most patients go home two to three days after gastric bypass surgery.
How Does a Gastric Bypass Work?
A gastric bypass works by reducing the size of the stomach and restructuring the digestive tract. By reducing the size of the stomach, meals are significantly smaller. The digestive track restructuring limits the absorption of the food eaten but also improves the function of gut hormones that promote the feeling of fullness, suppress hunger, and reverses the hormonal mechanism that causes type 2 diabetes in obesity. This leads to reduced calorie intake, food absorption, and improved hormones thus, weight loss.
Gastric bypass procedures are often the first choice for our surgeons due to high success rates and accelerated weight loss. Most patients lose 70% to 85% of excess weight in the first one-to two-years after surgery.
Life After Gastric Bypass
Gastric bypass is a highly reputed and sought-after surgery. Still, patients must be willing to commit to lifestyle changes after receiving the surgical intervention. Due to the digestive tract changes, gastric bypass patients will have to fully adhere to a new diet and lifestyle. Going back to old eating habits can lead to an uncomfortable phenomenon known as dumping, in which patients experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal distress. Further, these changes can lead to issues with vitamin and mineral absorption. Failing to take supplements as recommended by your doctor can lead to potentially dangerous deficiencies.
Lose Weight With Bariatric Surgery
If you are considering the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery for weight loss, Baptist Health can help you to find a lasting solution. As a resource across Arkansas, we’re prepared to assist you before, during, and after your procedure for optimal results.
Our Locations
Baptist Health offers surgical weight loss options in three convenient locations. Learn more about each location by following the links below.