Miami Valley Hospital

Roux-en-Y (RNY)

The Roux-en-Y (RNY) procedure is a combination gastric restrictive and malabsorptive procedure. It differs from the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) in that it creates an even smaller stomach pouch and routes your intestines differently. Its effectiveness is between that of the LAP-BAND and the BPD/DS, but with fewer complications.

Like the BPD/DS, the RNY procedure causes permanent changes in your digestion. You must commit to lifelong vitamin supplements and careful monitoring of your protein intake. There are also changes in waste elimination, but the fact that this is the most popular weight loss procedure in the US indicates that many, many people find these changes acceptable.

The RNY procedure typically results in about 60% loss of excess weight after five years.

Open Roux-en-Y

Open Roux-en-Y is the open-incision method of the gastric bypass, which is the most performed weight loss surgery. A smaller pouch is stapled off in your stomach and part of your intestines are routed from this pouch. The pouch holds less food, giving you a full feeling. This usually results in a 50-70% loss of excess weight.

Advantages:

No Dumping Syndrome (undigested contents of your stomach are "dumped" into your small intestine too rapidly, commonly causing abdominal cramps and nausea) forces you to control intake of sweets
Reversible in some cases
Cures reflux

Disadvantages:

Overeating and under-chewing can cause vomiting
Longer recovery

Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y

The Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y is the most popular method of gastric bypass surgery due to the minimal scarring and fast recovery. A smaller pouch is stapled off in your stomach and part of the intestines are routed from this pouch. The pouch holds less food, giving you a full feeling. The Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y usually results in a 50-70% loss of excess weight.

Advantages: