Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery, sometimes known simply as gastric bypass, reduces your upper stomach to the approximate size of an egg. The pouch can hold roughly one ounce of food—far less than the one quart an average adult stomach can hold.

Similar to other bariatric surgeries, this procedure is typically performed laparoscopically, meaning your surgeon will make a few small incisions and access your stomach using a thin tool with a camera attached (laparoscope).

Once this egg-sized pouch is created, your surgeon will connect the pouch to the part of the small intestine called the Roux limb, forming a “Y” shape. This arrangement allows food to bypass most of the stomach, which reduces the amount of fat and calories you absorb from the food you consume. It also reduces the amount of vitamins, minerals and other nutrients you’re able to absorb. To prevent nutritional problems after surgery, your physician may recommend incorporating daily multivitamins or other supplements into your diet.

The procedure itself takes several hours to complete. Depending on your personal recovery time, you may stay in the hospital for two to five days.

As with any other major surgery, there are some risks associated with gastric bypass, including excessive bleeding, infection, blood clots and an adverse reaction to anesthesia. You may also experience leaks from the stomach pouch or intestine. With some of the highest quality and patient safety ratings for bariatric procedures in the region, Inspira’s surgeons are well equipped to reduce your risk of complications and increase your chances of a successful recovery.