Biliopancreatic Diversion and Biliopancreatic Diversion With Duodenal Switch
Surgery Overview
A biliopancreatic diversion changes the normal process of digestion by making the stomach smaller. It allows food to bypass part of the small intestine so that you absorb fewer calories. Because of the risks, this surgery is only done in people who are severely obese and who haven't been able to lose weight any other way. Severe obesity means that you have a Reference BMI Opens New Window (body mass index) of 50 or higher.
After surgery, you will feel full more quickly than when your stomach was its original size. This reduces the amount of food you will want to eat. Bypassing part of the intestine also means that you will absorb fewer calories. This leads to weight loss. But your best chance of keeping weight off after surgery is by adopting healthy habits, such as healthy eating and regular physical activity.
There are two biliopancreatic diversion surgeries: a biliopancreatic diversion and a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch. Most surgeons will not perform duodenal switch surgery unless you are severely obese (BMI of 50 or higher) and your weight is causing serious health problems.
- In a biliopancreatic diversion, part of
the stomach is removed. The remaining part of the stomach is connected to
the lower portion of the small intestine. This is a high-risk
surgery that can cause long-term health problems, because your body has a harder time absorbing food and
nutrients. People who have this surgery must take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of
their lives, which can be expensive. See a picture of a
Reference biliopancreatic diversion Opens New Window Reference
Opens New Window. - In a
biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch, a different part of the
stomach is removed, which allows the surgeon to leave the pylorus, the valve that controls food drainage from the stomach, to be left intact. This is a high-risk surgery that can cause long-term health problems, because your body has a harder time absorbing food and nutrients. People who have this surgery must take vitamin and mineral supplements for the rest of their lives, which can be expensive. Another name for this surgery is duodenal switch. See a picture of a
Reference biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch Opens New Window Reference Opens New Window.
These procedures can be done by making a large cut in the belly (an open procedure) or by making a small cut and using small tools and a camera to guide the surgery (Reference laparoscopy Opens New Window).
| By: | Reference Healthwise Staff | Last Revised: April 6, 2011 |
| Medical Review: | Reference E. Gregory Thompson, MD - Internal Medicine
Reference Ali Tavakkolizadeh, MD, FRCS - General Surgery, Bariatric Surgery |
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