Explore Washington Gastric Bypass Surgery at Samaritan Healthcare

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, also called gastric bypass surgery, is considered by most bariatric surgeons to be the “Gold Standard”. It is both restrictive and malabsorptive. The bariatric surgeon makes five small holes in the the abdominal wall where he can insert a scope with a camera connected to a viewing screen. Instruments are also put through the scope. The football-size stomach is divided by rows of staples creating a small stomach pouch about the size of a golf ball. The stomach pouch is no longer connected to the larger stomach and intestines. The bariatric surgeon divides the jejunum (the second section of the small bowel) and connects one of the cut ends (called the “Roux limb”)to the newly created stomach pouch so the food has a way of getting out of he stomach and into the intestines. The old stomach, liver, pancreas and first part of the small bowel still make bile, enzymes and stomach acid that are necessary for chemical digestion. The cut end of intestine that is connected to the old stomach (called the "Biliopancreatic limb) is reconnected to the small intestine so the digestive juices will be able to mix with the eaten food so digestion can take place. With gastric bypass surgerty, the first section of bowel is bypassed so digestion and absorption of nutrients and calories is altered. If too much of the small intestine is bypassed, severe malabsorption and malnutrition can result. Years of experience and trial and error have taught surgeons how much of the bowel to bypass.

Mutiple vitamins and Vitamin B12 must be taken for the rest of the patient’s life. Iron supplements are frequently needed. Calcium is absorbed in the first part of the small bowel, so Calcium Citrate and Vitamin D supplements are needed. It is essential to have nutritional lab work done at least once a year so any malabsorption deficiencies can be corrected.

Learn more about your Washington gastric bypass surgery options with Samaritan Healthcare Center for Weight Management by attending a weight loss surgery seminar today!