Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass, the procedure:
The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is a complex operation, and is by no means "easy surgery", Patients who have the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery typically lose two-thirds of their excess body fat within two years, and many get close to that figure within the first year. There is; however, a significant risk for nutritional deficiencies. The reason for this is because the procedure causes food to bypass certain points of the intestine, points that are specifically designed to digest Calcium and Iron. A decrease in Iron can cause anemia and a decrease in Calcium can cause osteoporosis and metabolic bone disease....both of which can be potentially life threatening. Nearly all who have the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery will need to take supplemental vitamins for the rest of their lives.
In the Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass surgery, a small pouch is created to restrict the amount of food that a person can take in at any given time. Next, a Y-shaped portion of the small intestine is attached to the pouch to allow food to bypass the lower stomach. The bypass reduces the amount of calories that the person can take in, and the result is substantial weight loss. There are a significant amount of risks and side effects that go with the surgery, it is best to research them now before considering the procedure.