Surgical Associates at Virginia Hospital Center - Surgeon, Northern VA & Washington DC

Gastric Bypass Surgery

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is one of the most common weight loss surgical procedures performed in the United States. It combines both restrictive and malabsorptive components.

In a Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, the stomach is made smaller by creating a small pouch at the top of the stomach using surgical staples. By creating this small stomach pouch, food intake is restricted. The smaller stomach is then connected directly to the middle portion of the small intestine (jejunum), bypassing the rest of the stomach and the upper portion of the small intestine (duodenum). This reduces the amount of calories and nutrients that is absorbed by the body.

This procedure can be done by open surgery (by making a large incision in the abdomen) or, most commonly in our practice, by laparoscopic or minimally invasive surgery (making a small incision and using small instruments and a camera to guide the surgery). Laparoscopic surgery allows for faster recovery, less postoperative pain and fewer wound complications, such infections and hernias, than open surgery. Not all patients however are candidate for the laparoscopic approach. Surgical Associates have expertise and perform both open and laparoscopic gastric bypass surgery and will discuss the best option for you based on your individual history.