Laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass is a type of weight-loss/bariatric surgery. As the name suggests it can be performed through key-hole method (laparoscopy). In this technique 4 to 5 tiny cuts of half to one cm are made on the abdomen and the whole surgery is performed through these. In a Laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass surgery, a small 30 to 50 cc stomach pouch is created using surgical staplers. Small intestine is divided at about 50 to 100 cm from the duodeno-jejunal junction and attached to the stomach pouch in a “y” shaped fashion. The food comes into the stomach pouch and flows directly into the small intestine. It bypasses the remaining stomach and the first part of small intestine.
| MYTHS | FACTS |
| Laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass is a cosmetic procedure | Laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass is not a cosmetic procedure. Not only does it lead to massive weight loss but it also leads to improvement in obesity related diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, sleep apnoea, high cholesterol, gout, joint pains, PCOD, infertility etc. |
| One cannot eat anything after laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass | All bariatric procedures lead to restriction of food intake. In the first 3 to 6 months, restriction is higher. As time goes by, food intake increases gradually and patients are able to eat better quantities. It is also important to pay attention to quality of food being consumed after surgery. |
| Patients can regain weight in a few years | Surgery leads to massive weight loss in the first 2 years. Most patients lose up to 65 to70% of their excess weight during this time. However, like in the management of any other chronic disease, lifestyle modification is an important part of management of obesity. Patients who embrace lifestyle modification get better weight loss results in the long term. Not all patients regain weight. |
| Laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass has a high complication rate | Laparoscopic Roux en-y gastric bypass is safe. Its complication rate is much lesser than many other surgeries done that are done for cancer or heart. The risk is the same as that in knee replacement surgery or gall bladder surgery. Mortality rate after bariatric surgery is less than 0.5% |
Dr. Aparna Govil Bhasker is a Bariatric and Advanced Laparoscopic Surgeon.
Affiliations: Global Hospital, Parel; Apollo Hospitals, CBD Belapur, Tradeo and Chembur; Currae Hospital, Thane; Suchak hospital, Malad and Namaha Hospital, Kandivali
Mobile: +91 9819566618
Email: draparnagovil@gmail.com
Website: www.bestbariatricsurgeon.org
