The first study of a new minimally invasive surgical technique for treatment of obesity has shown that the surgery is safe and effective. The procedure, called Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, involves a small pouch being cut into the stomach and bypassing part of the intestine. The technique makes people feel full after eating a small amount of food; therefore, they eat less and lose weight. Furthermore, as part of the intestine is bypassed fewer calories are absorbed from food. A study of 275 morbidly obese patients revealed that the rates of serious and minor complications were low. Analysis of data also showed that patients lost approximately 77% of their excess weight within 30-months of surgery.
SOURCE/REFERENCE: Annals of Surgery 2000; 232:515-529
