Robot Assisted Roux-En-Y Gastric Bypass

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 30, 2025.

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What do I 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 do I need to know before I 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 do I 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.

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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 should I 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 will be helped to get out of bed and walk. 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.

What are the 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.

Care Agreement

You have the right to help plan your care. Learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. Discuss treatment options with your healthcare providers to decide what care you want to receive. You always have the right to refuse treatment. The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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