The physiology of altered eating behaviour after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass

Obesity and its related comorbidities can be detrimental for the affected individual, as well as constituting a major challenge to public health systems worldwide. Currently, the most effective treatment option leading to clinically significant and maintained body weight loss and reduction in obesity-related morbidity and mortality is obesity surgery, which is recommended for patients with a body mass index of >40 kg m(-2), or >35 kg m(-2) if obesity-associated comorbidities, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, are present. This report focuses on the altered eating behaviour after the most common of these operations, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. Animal and human experiments designed to understand the underlying physiological mechanisms of altered taste and appetite are discussed.