Robot Assisted Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 30, 2025.
AMBULATORY CARE:
What you need to know about robot assisted roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB):
Robot assisted RYGB is a type of weight loss surgery. The surgery is done with a machine that is controlled by your surgeon. The machine has mechanical arms that use small tools to help perform the surgery. The surgery makes your stomach permanently smaller. Food will bypass (go around) the rest of the stomach and move directly into the small intestine. You will feel full faster and have a decreased desire for food.
What you need to know before you have robot assisted RYGB:
- You will work with a dietitian before and after surgery. Your dietitian will talk to you about nutrition and what you should eat and drink before and after surgery. You may need to follow a very low-calorie, low-carbohydrate, or liquid diet for 2 weeks before surgery. This will help you lose weight and make the surgery safer for you.
- Your surgeon will talk to you about self-care and follow-up activities you will need after surgery. You will need to take vitamins and come in to have your progress checked.
- A therapist, counselor, or psychiatrist will help you get mentally and emotionally ready for surgery. You will also prepare for diet and lifestyle changes after surgery.
- If you have diabetes, your diabetes medicine needs may change after surgery. This depends on the medicine you take and if you have type 1 or type 2 diabetes. Do not change your diabetes medicine unless directed. Your healthcare providers will help you set schedules for checking your blood sugar levels and taking your medicine.
- Your medicine needs may change if you take medicine for hypothyroidism. Your providers will monitor your TSH levels and make medicine changes if needed. Do not change your thyroid medicine unless directed.
- Your surgeon will talk to you about family planning. If you are female, you should not get pregnant for 12 to 18 months after surgery. Your pregnancy will need to be monitored for your safety and your baby's safety. Your provider will tell you how much weight gain is safe during pregnancy. Your provider will help you create healthy meal plans. Healthcare providers will help you choose the right birth control if you want to prevent pregnancy. You may not be able to use birth control pills. Your body may not be able to absorb these pills fully after surgery.
How to prepare for surgery:
- Your surgeon will tell you how to prepare. You may be told not to eat or drink anything after midnight on the day of your surgery. Arrange to have someone drive you home when you are discharged.
- Tell your surgeon about all your current medicines, including any supplements. Your surgeon will tell you if you need to start or stop taking any medicine for the surgery, and when to do so.
- Tell your surgeon about any allergies you have, including to medicines, anesthesia, latex, or medical tape.
- Your surgeon will tell you if you need any tests before your surgery, and when to have them. You may need to have an upper endoscopy before surgery. This is a procedure to look inside your esophagus and stomach. This will check for any problems and help your surgeon plan your surgery.
- If you currently use tobacco products, you will need to quit before you have surgery. This will help reduce the risk of an infection and problems with breathing and wound healing. It is best to quit at least 3 months before surgery. You must quit at least 6 weeks before surgery. Talk to your surgeon or other healthcare providers if you need help quitting.
What will happen during surgery:
- You will be given general anesthesia to keep you asleep and free from pain during surgery.
- Your surgeon will make several small incisions in your abdomen. Your abdomen will be filled with carbon dioxide to lift the abdominal muscles away from your organs. This helps your surgeon see your stomach and nearby organs better.
- Surgical tools are attached to the arms of the robot. The robotic arms control a laparoscope and other tools inside your abdomen. A laparoscope is a long, thin tube with a light and camera on the end.
- Your surgeon will guide the robotic arms to cut across the top of your stomach and seal it off from the rest of your stomach. Staples are used to make a small stomach pouch that is separate from the rest of your stomach. The new stomach pouch is connected to the middle part of the small intestine.
- Your surgeon will remove the tools from your abdomen. Your incisions will be closed with stitches or medical glue and covered with bandages.
What to expect after robot assisted RYGB:
- You will be taken to a recovery room to rest until you are fully awake. Healthcare providers will monitor you closely for any problems. When providers see that you are okay, you will be taken to your hospital room. You may stay in the hospital for 2-3 days after surgery.
- You may feel pain around the incision sites. This is expected and should improve within a few weeks. You will be given medicine to help manage the pain.
- Your surgeon will tell you when you can eat and drink. You may be given ice chips at first. Then you will get clear liquids such as water, broth, or juice. You will be told when you can start to eat soft foods.
Risks of robot assisted RYGB:
You may bleed more than expected or develop an infection. Organs near the surgery area may be damaged. During surgery, you may need 1 large incision instead of several small incisions. A leak may develop along the staple line where it is holding the stomach pouch closed. A leak may also develop at the small intestine connection point. A leak can cause a severe infection.
The new connections in your stomach and intestines may form scars or narrowed areas. A loop of intestine may get trapped and cause bowel blockage. You may have nausea, vomiting, heartburn, or develop gallstones. You may not lose as much weight as you expect. You may develop a life-threatening blood clot. You may develop a vitamin deficiency, anemia, or nerve damage.Related medications
Call your local emergency number (911 in the US) if:
- You have trouble breathing, chest pain, or you cough up blood.
Seek care immediately if:
- Your arm or leg feels warm, tender, and painful. It may look swollen and red.
- You have severe stomach pain, and your abdomen feels firm or bloated.
- You cannot stop vomiting.
- Blood soaks through your bandage or your incision sites come apart.
- You have a fever higher than 101°F (38.3°C).
- Your bowel movements are black or bloody.
- Your incision site is red, swollen, or draining pus.
- Your pain does not get better with medicine, or it gets worse.
Call your doctor or surgeon if:
- You have a fever.
- You have nausea that does not get better with medicine, or it gets worse.
- You are constipated.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
Medicines:
You may need any of the following:
- A multivitamin may be recommended by your healthcare provider or dietitian. This will help replace vitamins and minerals you may lose from eating less food.
- Acid reflux medicine helps decrease stomach acid and heartburn.
- Nausea medicine may be needed to help decrease nausea and prevent vomiting.
- Acetaminophen decreases pain and fever. It is available without a doctor's order. Ask how much to take and how often to take it. Follow directions. Read the labels of all other medicines you are using to see if they also contain acetaminophen, or ask your doctor or pharmacist. Acetaminophen can cause liver damage if not taken correctly.
- Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
- Blood thinners help prevent blood clots. Clots can cause strokes, heart attacks, and death. Many types of blood thinners are available. Your healthcare provider will give you specific instructions for the type you are given. The following are general safety guidelines to follow while you are taking a blood thinner:
- Watch for bleeding and bruising. Watch for bleeding from your gums or nose. Watch for blood in your urine and bowel movements. Use a soft washcloth on your skin, and a soft toothbrush to brush your teeth. This can keep your skin and gums from bleeding. If you shave, use an electric shaver. Do not play contact sports.
- Tell your dentist and other healthcare providers that you take a blood thinner. Wear a bracelet or necklace that says you take this medicine.
- Do not start or stop any other medicines or supplements unless your healthcare provider tells you to. Many medicines and supplements cannot be used with blood thinners.
- Take your blood thinner exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Do not skip a dose or take less than prescribed. Tell your provider right away if you forget to take your blood thinner, or if you take too much.
- Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.
Self-care:
- Care for your incision sites as directed. Wear loose-fitting clothing over the area. Do not get the sites wet until your healthcare provider says it is okay. When it is okay to shower, do not scrub the sites. Just let water run over them. Dry the area and put on new, clean bandages as directed. Change your bandages when they get wet or dirty. Do not put powders or lotions over your incision sites. Check the area every day for signs of infection, such as swelling, redness, or pus.
- Be physically active, as directed. Physical activity, such as walking, helps your overall health and reduces your risk for blood clots. Your provider can help you create an activity plan that works best for you.
- Go to therapy as directed. Therapy may help support changes to your diet and exercise habits. You may want to join a support group to talk with others who have had a gastric bypass.
Follow your nutrition plan:
Ask your dietitian or nutritionist any questions you have about your nutrition plan. The plan will include which foods to eat and how much of each to eat during a meal.
- Prevent dumping syndrome. Dumping syndrome happens when high-sugar or high-fat foods and drinks go into your intestine too quickly after a meal. Dumping syndrome may also occur if you drink liquids during a meal. Dumping syndrome may cause you to sweat, or feel faint, weak, and dizzy. You may have stomach cramps, an upset stomach, and diarrhea.
- Eat slowly. Chew your food well before you swallow. Large pieces of food may cause choking or may block your stomach. If you eat too much or do not chew well enough before you swallow, you may vomit.
- Eat 3 small meals each day. Do not eat snacks between meals unless your healthcare provider says it is okay. Stop eating when you feel full, even if you have not eaten all of your meal. If you eat too much and do not follow instructions, you may stretch out your stomach pouch. You may also cause a leak right after surgery.
- Eat nutritious foods. Eat plenty of protein. Foods that contain protein include chicken, fish, eggs, and dairy products. You may need protein drinks for several weeks after surgery. Avoid candy, cookies, ice cream, and fried foods.
- Drink liquids between meals. Wait at least 1 hour after a meal before you drink liquids. Do not drink liquids with meals. Drink water, diet drinks, or other drinks that have few or no calories. Do not drink carbonated liquids, such as soft drinks.
Follow up with your doctor or surgeon as directed:
You will need to have your incision sites checked. Your healthcare provider will monitor your progress and you will have your vitamin levels checked. Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.
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