How is the Surgery Performed

San Diego General & Bariatric Surgeons performs the Roux-en-y Divided Gastric Bypass procedure laparoscopically as opposed to the open incision technique. Under a general anesthetic, the stomach is divided into two portions. The newly created portion of the stomach (commonly referred to as .the pouch.), holds only about 3-4 ounces of food (about 5-6 bites). The inability to consume larger quantities of food is referred to as the restrictive component of the surgery.

A loop of small intestine is then attached to the newly created stomach (the pouch). This reduced portion of the small intestine carries the food to a lower section of the intestine, where food mixes with digestive juices the bypassed stomach, liver, and pancreas. Nutrients, vitamins, and minerals are then absorbed by the rest of the intestine. This process is referred to as the malabsorptive component of the procedure, and helps keep the excess body weight off over the long term.