Gastric bypass surgery (Roux-en-Y) is an advanced metabolic surgical procedure that is considered the “gold standard” for obesity treatment. This procedure is suitable for those with a BMI over 40 or those with a BMI between 35-40 who also have health issues such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnea. In the surgery, a small 30-50 ml stomach pouch is created and connected to the jejunum portion of the small intestine using the Roux-en-Y technique.
The laparoscopic surgery is performed through 5-6 small incisions and takes approximately 120-180 minutes. Patients typically stay in the hospital for 3-4 days and then begin a 4-6 week specialized rehabilitation program. The nutrition program consists of four phases:

• Days 1-7: Liquid diet (30-50 ml/meal)
• Days 8-14: Full liquid diet (50-100 ml/meal)
• Days 15-30: Pureed foods (100-150 ml/meal)
• Days 30-45: Transition to soft foods

The surgery results are quite successful: Most patients lose 70-80% of their excess weight within the first year. Metabolic improvements are also rapid – 85% of patients stop using insulin within 3 months, 70% reduce or stop blood pressure medications, and 90% resolve sleep apnea symptoms.
The early complication risk is around 3-5%. For long-term success, patients must attend regular check-ups and take lifelong multivitamin supplements. The majority of patients who follow this follow-up program achieve lasting results.