The Biliopancreatic Diversion procedure is a more complicated malabsorptive operation because portions of the stomach are actually removed. The small pouch that remains is connected directly to the final segment of the small intestine, completely bypassing the duodenum and the jejunum.
Although this procedure successfully promotes weight loss, it is less frequently used than other types of surgery because of the high risk for nutritional deficiencies.
A variation of BPD includes a "duodenal switch," leaves a larger portion of the stomach intact, including the pyloric valve that regulates the release of stomach contents into the small intestine. It also keeps a small part of the duodenum in the digestive pathway.
BPD Advantages
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Significant malabsorptive component |
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Better chance of sustained weight loss |
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Ability to eat larger quantities of food and still lose weight |
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BPD Disadvantages
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Greater chance of chronic diarrhea, stomal ulcers, more foul smelling stools and flatus |
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Higher risk of nutritional deficiencies |
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Higher chance of micronutrient deficiencies such as vitamins and calcium. |
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At Midwest Bariatric Solutions, we choose not to perform this surgery.
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| Photo used with permission from Ethicon Endo-Surgery, Inc. |
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