The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is a surgical procedure designed to provide a lifelong tool for patients who struggle with obesity. In this procedure a small upper pouch is created by dividing and stapling the stomach into two portions. The lower portion of the stomach no longer serves as a reservoir for food, but still functions to produce hormones, enzymes and acid. An opening is created in the upper pouch and a Y-shaped section of the small intestine is connected to the new stomach pouch, bypassing the first part of the small intestine.
This procedure reduces the amount of food the stomach can hold, allowing for smaller portion sizes. It also shortens the digestive tract to limit the amount of calories that can be absorbed. Patients typically have good appetite control after this procedure.