Bariatric Surgery Procedures | Blessing Health System

How Gastric Bypass Works

This procedure provides restriction by using 5-15% of the entire stomach to create a small pouch, about the size of a large egg, in the upper part of the stomach. It also rearranges the intestines so when food enters the pouch, instead of going through the front of the stomach, it goes further down the intestinal tract, providing diversion.

Typically, this surgery works best with patients who have a BMI under 50 or less than 150 lbs. of excess weight. This is not because of the actual surgery, but the limitations in weight loss that the surgery provides.

Requires supplementation of:

Calcium
Iron
Vitamin B12
Protein

How Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy Works

This procedure is purely restrictive, meaning it makes the stomach smaller, rather than rearranging the intestinal tract. A Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy makes the stomach smaller, holding 100-150 ccs of fluid or around the size of a banana. This decreases the volume of the stomach so less food can be taken in. The stomach’s stretch receptors that tell the brain that the stomach is full are invoked to stretch sooner.

Typically, this surgery works best with patients who have a BMI of 30-45. This also depends on how overweight the patient is and if they have any other pre-existing diseases.

Benefits of Vertical Sleeve Gastrectomy

The positive impact that this surgery can have on a patient’s life is irreplaceable. With a modified diet, behavior modification, and physical activity, the patient can experience a loss of 55-65% of excess body weight. This can prevent diseases that are exacerbated by having excess weight. It can also resolve diabetes at a rate of 70% if the patient’s diabetes is less than 5 years.

Benefits of Gastric Bypass

A Gastric Bypass can create long lasting positive changes in a patient’s life. With a modified diet, behavior modification, and physical activity, this can lead to a loss of about 65% of excess body weight, in addition to a resolution of Diabetes at a rate of 84%.

How Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch Works

Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) provides both restriction and diversion for obese patients. This procedure generates the greatest weight loss and resolution of diabetes. BPD/DS provides restriction by the use of a sleeve rather than creating a pouch. This procedure keeps the pylorus muscle, the “gate keeper” to the intestine, which prevents dumping, ulcers, and different medications. Instead of a short bypass like that of a Gastric Bypass, BPD/DS provides a very long bypass. This diverts food all the way down to the lower intestine, causing the pancreas and liver to not see food until much later.

Because BPD/DS creates such a long diversion, it requires an extremely dedicated patient. This patient must have a BMI over 50, or over 150 lbs. of excess weight. This patient will also be required to take supplements 3-4 times a day.

Requires supplementation of:

Calcium
Iron
Protein
Vitamin A, B12, B Complex, D, E, K

Benefits of Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch

While this procedure produces the best outcome in terms of weight loss and diabetes, it requires compliancy of the patient with supplementation. BPD/DS, in addition to a modified diet, behavior modification, and physical activity, can result in a loss of 75-85% of excess body weight and a resolution of Diabetes as high as 95-98% lasting over 20 years. In addition to this, the restriction method of a sleeve can cause patients to experience less post-operative complications with issues such as ulcers and difficulty with medications.