Roux en Y Gastric Bypass

Roux en Y gastric bypass is a weight loss surgery in which a surgeon creates a small, egg sized pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. That pouch is then connected to a lower section of the small intestine, forming the Y shaped connection that gives the procedure its name.

The procedure helps patients lose weight in two ways. The smaller stomach pouch limits how much food can be eaten at one time, and the rerouted intestine reduces how many calories and how much fat the body absorbs. Robotic-assisted Roux en Y gastric bypass is performed at Baptist Health facilities in Kentucky and Indiana.

Benefits of Robotic-Assisted Surgery

Robotic surgery is a technologically advanced system that improves surgical results for patients. It is important to note that a robotic-assisted procedure does not mean being operated on by a machine with no human involvement. In robotic-assisted procedures, the robot is a group of tools used by a skilled surgeon and the medical team to aid in an operation. These tools mimic human motion with greater precision, better visualization, and less fatigue than a person can maintain on their own.

Robotic surgery offers the following benefits:

• Smaller incisions
• Less blood loss
• Reduced scarring
• Lower infection risk
• Less pain after surgery
• Shorter hospital stays
• Quicker recovery

How Does Robotic-Assisted Roux en Y Gastric Bypass Work?

At Baptist Health, robotic-assisted bariatric procedures are performed with the aid of the Intuitive da Vinci system. Your physician uses a computerized console and controls slender robotic arms that hold a camera and the surgical instruments. The console translates hand movements into extremely fine motions.

To perform the Roux en Y gastric bypass, the surgeon creates a small stomach pouch using surgical staples. The lower half of the small intestine is divided and attached to the new pouch. The bypassed section of stomach and upper intestine is then reconnected further down so digestive fluids can still mix with food.

Because the procedure is robotic-assisted, all of this work takes place through several tiny incisions rather than one large opening. The result is generally less tissue trauma, smaller scars and a faster return home.

What to Expect with Robotic-Assisted Roux en Y Gastric Bypass

Before surgery, your surgeon will ask you to stop smoking if you use tobacco. In some cases, they may recommend losing a small amount of weight ahead of time to shrink the liver and make the operation safer. You will also meet with a dietitian and complete pre-surgery testing.

The surgery itself usually takes approximately two hours and is performed under general anesthesia. Most patients stay in the hospital about two days so the care team can manage pain, monitor healing and make sure you can stay hydrated before going home.

You will start with a liquid diet and progress through pureed foods to solid foods over several weeks under the guidance of your dietitian. Most patients with desk or light duty jobs return to work in one to three weeks, while physical labor may require a full three weeks off. Daily vitamin and mineral supplements become a lifelong habit, and a high protein, low sugar eating pattern helps you avoid discomfort. 

Follow up visits are scheduled frequently after surgery to give maximal support to the patient. Your bariatric physician will likely want to check in with annual visits and blood work after that. These check-ins help your physician catch nutritional gaps early and keep you on track with your goals.

Why Bariatric Surgery?

Bariatric surgery is an effective and safe tool in the treatment of obesity. Obesity is a disease, and can present with different levels of severity. Bariatric surgery has been shown to result in the most long-lasting weight loss and disease resolution for patients with a BMI (body mass index) of 35 or greater.

Some diseases that can be improved or resolved by Bariatric surgery include type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure. The safety profile of Bariatric surgery is similar to some of the safest and most commonly performed surgeries in the United States, such as gallbladder surgery, appendectomy and knee replacement.

Many studies have shown that patients lose more weight and keep it off longer after Bariatric surgery than after treatment with GLP-1 drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide.

Why Choose Baptist Health?

Baptist Health is committed to being a leader in the field of Bariatric surgery in Kentucky and Southern Indiana. The Bariatric surgeons at Baptist Health are distinguished by lower than national average complication rates, and their extensive experience and training increases the safety and success of bariatric surgery.

If you have questions or concerns about obesity and weight related health issues, take our online Health Risk Assessment.