Making the Decision
Losing weight is often a trying experience. Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB) surgery can help. This surgery does require a commitment to life-long changes in eating habits, attitudes about food, and exercise. This surgery is a tool to help people lose weight successfully and maintain that loss. You will acquire a healthier way of life as you learn to use your tool appropriately.

The RYGB is a combination of a malabsorpative as well as restrictive procedure. The surgeon creates a small gastric pouch and bypasses a large portion of the stomach and some of the small intestine. This surgery limits the amount the new gastric pouch can hold. As a result, in the beginning, the pouch will hold only 1-2 tablespoons of food or fluid. By filling with so little, hunger is satisfied more quickly. Eventually, the pouch does stretch somewhat allowing a person to eat about a cup of food per meal. It usually takes about a year to stretch to that size. A low-fat, low-sugar, low-calorie diet, along with regular exercise, makes you and this surgery a success.

Why Choose Surgery?
Studies have shown that for many people diet therapy is just not successful for long-term weight loss. Surgery is quickly becoming more accepted as treatment for morbid obesity (roughly 100 pounds or more overweight or a body mass index (BMI) 40 percent or greater).

Do You Qualify for This Surgery?

• Are you 100 pounds or more overweight?
• Do you have a BMI of 40 percent or more?
• Do you have a BMI of 35-40 percent with significant health problems?

Before Surgery

• Attend one of the informational meetings that are held on the first Thursday and third Tuesday of every month. These meetings are held at St. Josephıs Medical Center.
• Meet with one of the Bariatric Program Coordinators Julie Smith, RN, or Christine Schultz, RN. Their job is to coordinate the process of insurance authorization and guide you on your journey of weight loss surgery.