Roux-en-Y Gastric bypass surgery can be performed as either an open or a laparoscopic procedure. Laparoscopy is considered a better option for many patients because it is less invasive and the recovery time is shorter.
With the Roux-en-Y procedure the stomach is divided to create a tiny reservoir of 1 or 2 ounces so that the patient will feel full after eating only a small quantity of food.
Bowel continuity is restored by bringing up a gastro j-june ostomy with an alimentory limb of approximately 60-120 centimeters. This provides a small degree of malabsorption.
Another laparoscopic option offered is the Lap-Band procedure.
The Lap-Band is an adjustable silicone band placed around the top part of stomach. This severely restricts the amount and kind of food and fluid that can be consumed at one time.
The Lap-Band may be adjusted after surgery to promote maximum weight loss without side effects.
Laparoscopic bariatric surgery is a cost-effective treatment with short recovery times and an average length of stay of 1 day for the lap band procedure and 2 days for the Roux-en-Y procedure.
Only 3 to 5% of open or laparoscopic gastric bypass patients experience a post-operative problem and the operation has a mortality rate of less than half of 1 percent.
