Bariatric Surgery

One form of malabsorptive bariatric surgery is the biliopancreatic diversion (BPD). It was first developed in Italy by Dr. Scopinaro. It was once a commonly performed procedure but has fallen out of favor among bariatric surgeons because of the high risk of malnutrition.

What Happens During the Procedure

When you choose to have biliopancreatic diversion bariatric weight loss surgery, the surgeon will start by making either one large incision in your abdomen (an open procedure), or several smaller incisions used to insert a camera and tools (a laparoscopic procedure). He will then remove about two thirds of your stomach leaving a small pouch. This pouch is then connected to the lower portion of the small intestine, therefore bypassing the duodenum and jejunum.

By restricting the size of the stomach, you will feel full much faster, therefore consuming fewer calories overall. The food you do consume will bypass a large portion of your intestines, therefore limiting how many calories and nutrients your body absorbs. This all results in achieving fast weight loss.

A modern variation of this procedure is called a biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS). This keeps a larger portion of the stomach intact including the pyloric valve and most of the duodenum. This valve is responsible for releasing stomach contents into the small intestine.

Advantages of Biliopancreatic Diversion

Since biliopancreatic diversion bariatric surgery has such a high level of malabsorption, it produces the greatest amount of weight loss compared to other procedures.

Patients can consume larger amounts of food than other procedures that are more restrictive.

By following strict guidelines of bariatric programs near me for diet, exercise, and nutritional supplements, patients can see successful, long-term weight loss.

Disadvantages of Biliopancreatic Diversion

There is an increased chance of side effects and long-term health problems compared to other bariatric surgery options.

You must follow a strict regimen of vitamins to avoid malnutrition, anemia, and bone disease. It’s important to maintain follow-up visits with your bariatric surgeon to monitor for these conditions over time.

If you consume foods with high fat content, you may experience uncomfortable bloating, foul smelling flatulence, and bowel movements.

While your intestinal tract is adjusting to the change, you may experience frequent, watery bowel movements. This can fade over time but can be permanent for some patients.

Reflux and ulcers can occur since the bile, pancreatic, and digestive juices are being rerouted. This is a less common side effect for BPD-DS.

Contact Laparoscopic and Endoscopic Surgery Institute

To learn more about biliopancreatic diversion, please contact us today. We can help you schedule a consultation to see if this bariatric surgery Atlanta residents choose is right for you. With four locations throughout metro Atlanta, we are always nearby. Call your nearest office today or send us a message online. We look forward to helping you find health and happiness on your weight loss journey!