Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 21, 2026

Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass Operation in Rats
Published on: June 11, 2012
Hedonic Changes in Food Choices Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass
Thea Toft Hansen1, Tine Anette Jakobsen2, Mette Søndergaard Nielsen2,3
1Department of Nutrition, Exercise and Sports, Faculty of Science (Obesity Research), University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 26, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark. tha@nexs.ku.dk.
Abstract:
It has been suggested that a shift in food choices leading to a diet with a lower energy density plays an important role in successful weight loss after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery. A decreased hedonic drive to consume highly palatable foods may explain these changes in eating behavior. Here, we review the literature examining postoperative changes in mechanisms contributing to hedonic drive (food preferences, reinforcing value of food, dopamine signaling, and activity reward-related brain regions). The majority of studies reviewed support that RYGB decrease the hedonic drive to consume highly palatable foods. Still, in order to fully understand the complexity of these changes, we need studies combining sociological and psychological approaches with objective measures of actual food choices examining different measures of hedonic drive.
Related Concept Videos
Gastric Emptying
Taste Buds and Receptors
Regulation of Food Intake
Gastric Phase of Digestion
When food enters the stomach, it stretches the stomach walls and activates stretch receptors. This triggers local reflexes of the enteric nervous system, mediated through the myenteric plexus. These...
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System II: Health Perception Pattern
Health Perception Patterns
Health perception patterns offer valuable insights into a patient's lifestyle habits and how they may impact their GI health. These patterns include:
Assessment of the Gastrointestinal System I: Subjective Data
Health History
The initial step in assessing the GI system is obtaining a comprehensive health history. This includes inquiring about the patient's history or presence of problems...

