Diet Blog

One of the forms of weight loss surgeries performed today is the biliopancreatic diversion gastric bypass. This is a procedure adopted to treat people suffering from clinical, malignant and morbid obesity. It is performed on people with a BMI that is more than 40 and on patients who have tried various diets and exercise to lose weight, without any success. With this surgery, not only is a large part of the stomach removed, the small intestine’s anatomy is altered so that the bile and pancreatic juices meet food close to the middle or end part of the small intestine. The advantage of this is the absorption of calories and nutrients gets curtailed considerably.

The lifestyle adjustments needed with biliopancreatic diversion gastric bypass

The biliopancreatic diversion gastric bypass is a rather complicated process but helps the patient lose about two-thirds of their pre-operative obesity within a span of two years. This form of surgery is much more effective in weight reduction than other bypass surgeries.

However after the surgery, it is important that the patient eat small meals rather frequently in the day as this new and small stomach cannot hold large meals. This new stomach cannot tolerate large amounts of fat, sugar or alcohol either. So this indicates that to experience maximum weight loss and minimum side effects with biliopancreatic diversion gastric bypass, it is important that the patient reduces the fat intake, avoids fast food meals and deep fried food and also avoids high-sugar foods like candy, cookies and cakes.

The benefits of Biliopancreatic diversion gastric bypass

With a biliopancreatic bypass, patients that follow their post operative dietary guidelines strictly can lose a maximum of 80 percent of their excess weight. They can also maintain their weight reduction without a chance of weight regain for a long time. In addition to weight loss, the patient experiences significant health benefits through lower blood cholesterol lower blood pressure, a reduced risk of heart disease and diabetes and some forms of cancer too. However this can all happen only if the patient follows their stipulated diet as provided by the doctor, along with a regular routine of exercise.

The risks and complications of biliopancreatic diversion surgery

There are some risks and complications associated with biliopancreatic diversion surgery. It has been found that more than a third of obese patients who have undergone this surgery tend to develop gallstones. Though gallstones can be prevented, bariatric surgeons tend to remove it during the initial surgery.

Most patients need follow-up operations so that complications like abdominal hernias can be corrected. There are also possibilities of infection, ulcers and leaks from staple breakdown developing as a complication to the surgery. It will also take some time for adaptation by the intestine where bowel movements may be more frequent and liquid.