Bariatric surgery changes the size of your stomach and the length of your small intestine. The goal is to limit how much food can be eaten and absorbed at one time. You are having a Roux-en-Y Bypass. During this type of procedure, part of the stomach is closed off with staples to create a smaller pouch. The smaller stomach helps restrict the amount of food you can eat at one time. The small intestine is then divided, and part of it is reattached to the stomach pouch. Because part or most of the small intestine is bypassed, less food is absorbed.

The Procedure

A large portion of the stomach is closed off. This leaves a small pouch to hold food, restricting the amount that can be eaten at one time. The small intestine is cut below the duodenum and reattached to the new stomach pouch, leaving a shortened path for food to travel through. As a result, most of the food that is eaten is expelled as waste and not absorbed as energy.

Special Note: The Gallbladder

Bariatric surgery is designed to cause a large amount of weight loss. Weight loss can cause deposits in the gallbladder called gallstones. To prevent this, the gallbladder may be removed during your surgery or at a later date.

Medical Reviewer: Franks, Jean, RN, BSN, CRNFA, Wetter, L Albert, MD Copyright: © 2000-2010 The StayWell Company, 780 Township Line Road, Yardley, PA 19067. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.

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