What Is
Malabsorptive Weight Loss Surgery
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When considering weight loss surgery, it is
important to research the different methods of weight loss
surgery to determine which one is right for you. A health
care professional will also guide you through your selection
process to find the method that will give you the most
success when attempting to lose the excess weight.
There are three types of weight loss
surgeries that are commonly preformed. Each type has both
benefits and disadvantages. Doctors often use either a
restrictive, malabsorptive or a combination of the two when
performing weight loss surgery. Malabsorptive surgery is one
method that is commonly performed. This type of surgery uses
surgical methods to shorten the digestive tract. This makes it
possible for the body to limit the number of calories that a
person can absorb. The biggest disadvantage of this type of
weight loss surgery is that is also limits the amount of
vital nutrients taken in by the body. |
The Biliopancreatic Diversion is the main type of
malabsorptive weight loss surgery that is performed by surgeons.
This procedure is often more extreme because it requires a
complete alteration of the digestive system. During this weight
loss surgery, approximately three-fourths of the stomach is
completely removed. The remaining stomach pouch is then
connected to the final segment of the small intestines. This
makes the food to almost completely bypass the small intestines
and food enters the large intestines much quicker. After food is
swallowed, it passes from the new stomach pouch to the remaining
small intestines. There, the nutrients are separated from the
bile and pancreatic fluid that normally breaks them down. This
procedure greatly reduces the amount of both calories and
nutrients that are absorbed by the body.
While extremely invasive, there are some advantages.
First, this surgery allows for the greatest amount of initial weight
loss due to the levels of absorption. Also, this weight loss surgery
allows for larger meals because the stomach pouch is larger. With this
surgery, there is usually higher total weight loss. Many times this
surgery is reserved for those with much more weight to lose.
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There are many disadvantages to this weight
loss surgery. It is very invasive and requires more cutting
and stapling of the stomach and bowel. With this come a
higher rate of complications, and death. In addition, it
takes longer to heal from this surgery than with other
methods. Patients are not able to return to normal
activities for several weeks following this type of surgery.
Patients that have this surgery are subject to suffering
from ulcers, intestinal irritation and dumping, which is
caused by the food passing very quickly into the intestines
This can cause diarrhea, stomach cramping and nausea. This
surgery is not reversible and cannot be adjusted for any
reason. Also, patients also must have life-long monitoring
for protein malnutrition, anemia and bone disease. Most
patients that have this type of weight loss surgery must
stay on vitamin supplements for the rest of their lives to
make up for the reduced amount of nutrients absorbed into
the body. |
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