What is Malabsorption Weight Loss Surgery?

What is Malabsorption Weight Loss Surgery?

Biliopancreatic diversion with or without the duodenal switch or BPD-DS is primarily a type of malabsorptive bariatric surgery procedure.

Gastric bypass surgery, on the other hand, combines both restrictive and malabsorptive techniques. Reliable bariatric surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre provides a range of weight loss procedures to patients in Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and surrounding communities and neighborhoods in this amazing Sunshine State.

Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGBP)

The Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery is mainly performed as a bariatric surgery procedure. It is a combination of both restriction and malabsorption techniques. Stapling the stomach and dividing it into two portions is the restrictive element in this procedure. The upper part forms a small pouch which is now the “new” stomach.

The size of this new stomach is so small that it limits or “restricts” the consumption of food. It offers the patient a feeling of being full even with small amounts of food intake. The bottom portion of the stomach does not receive, store, or mix food. Nevertheless, it remains operational by continuing the production of digestive juices.

The malabsorption part of the gastric bypass procedure refers to dividing the small intestine in a specific location surgically. After the intestine is divided, the bottom part of the intestine known as the jejunum is made to connect with the newly formed stomach directly. The other part of the intestine is joined back at a certain point lower down the small intestine.

The intestine now attains a “Y” shape. Consequently, when the patient consumes food, it now travels to the new stomach and then the jejunum. This means that it bypasses the top portion of the intestine. When the food bypasses the top part of the intestine, it reduces the number of calories and amount of nutrients that the body absorbs.

This surgery can enable patients to lose two-thirds of surplus weight within a couple of years. The malabsorption heightens the risk of nutrition-related deficiencies. This makes it vital for patients to adhere to the physician’s instructions regarding nutritional supplements post-surgery.

Biliopancreatic diversion (BPD)

A biliopancreatic diversion or BPD is a malabsorptive procedure. This surgery is more complex than the Roux-en-Y bypass surgery. A portion of the lower stomach is surgically removed in a BPD procedure. The remaining portion of the stomach is joined directly to the lowermost portion of the small intestine or the jejunum.

During the process of digestion, the food bypasses a more significant part of the small intestine in comparison to the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery. This procedure may cause more malabsorption relative to the Roux-en-Y bypass procedure. Therefore, it can lead to more nutritional deficiencies. It is not a standard surgery.  

A variant of the biliopancreatic diversion is a surgery known as the duodenal switch or BPD-DS. This variation does not eliminate the portion of the stomach that contains the valve controlling the release of food to the small intestine. This feature helps avoid the “dumping syndrome.” This syndrome can cause diarrhea and vomiting in patients. Furthermore, a small portion of the duodenum or upper intestine is retained.

Malabsorption weight-loss procedures are presently the most effective treatment for providing long-lasting weight loss solutions to obese patients who have not found non-invasive weight loss methods useful.

Dignified bariatric surgeon Dr. Wiljon Beltre receives patients from Orlando, Tampa, Maitland, Central Florida, and nearby areas across the landscape for weight loss procedures.

Important Note: If the weight is regained, diabetes and other conditions could return.

To find out more about the procedures & treatments performed by Orlando Bariatric Surgeon, Dr. Wiljon Beltre, at The Center for Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Call 321-499-6505 or Click Here to Schedule a Consultation.