Question:
What is the difference between RNY vs. Gastric Bypass?

   — Andrea M. (posted on April 4, 1999)

April 5, 1999
No difference just the same surgery by different "nicknames"
   — JAN C.

May 15, 1999
There IS a difference between the two surgeries. With the RNY you will keep your stomach intact although the staples go across the stomach and not down. Doctors have found that nutritionally this is not as good as putting staples downwards because the stomach has areas that you cannot use if they are across and you need those areas. Also, the diversion is different bringing the intestine up further towards the top of the stomach. With Gastro, 3/4 of your stomach is removed and the intestines are diverted to the bottom. But.....the stomach is removed from a longwards cut giving you all of the stomach areas that you will need for your lifetime. Basically, an RNY can be reversed...a Gastro cannot.
   — BARBARA R.