Today, most weight loss surgeries are performed laparoscopically (minimally invasive surgery). Rather than making a long incision, the surgeon uses a few small incisions through which long, delicate, surgical instruments and a small video camera are inserted into the abdomen. In this manner, the surgeon is able to perform the procedure by viewing the surgery on a video monitor. When surgery is performed laparoscopically, there is less post-operative pain, scarring is minimal and recovery time is reduced. The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass "RYGBP" is often called the "Gold Standard" for weight loss surgery, combining both a restrictive and a malabsorptive element.

With the RYGBP procedure:

• Specially designed staples are used to create a small, upper stomach
  pouch that restricts food consumption.
• A small opening is made towards the bottom of the pouch, and the bowel
  is brought up and connected to the opening bypassing the upper intestine,
  thereby resulting in reduced absorption of fat.
• The food that enters the pouch empties through the small opening directly
  into the bowel. The stomach empties its secretions into the bowel, as well.

After surgery, the stomach pouch fills rapidly with small amounts of food, causing a sensation of fullness. Although all the natural stomach juices are still present, the food (and calories) is absorbed less efficiently than before the surgery. Because the desire for food has decreased and less is consumed, and because less fat is absorbed, weight loss is steady and easier to maintain.