Biliopancreatic Diversion Surgery with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)
TESTS AND PROCEDURES

Biliopancreatic Diversion Surgery with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS)

March 21, 2017

Biliopancreatic Diversion Surgery with Duodenal Switch (BPD/DS) 

Front view of stomach and duodenum. Stomach has been cut and stapled. Cut end of small intestine has been brought up to connect to stomach. Duodenum has been cut and reattached to small intestine. Arrow shows food passing from stomach into shortened small intestine. Another arrow shows path of digestive juices from stomach through duodenum and into small intestine. Digestion begins in small intestine.

Bariatric surgery can be done in several ways. This type of bariatric surgery changes the size of your stomach and the length of your small intestine. The goal is to limit how much food can be eaten and absorbed at one time. During this type of procedure, part of the stomach is closed off with staples to create a smaller pouch. The remainder of the stomach is removed. This smaller stomach restricts the amount of food you can eat at one time. The small intestine is then divided, and only a very short length of its lower portion is reattached to the stomach pouch. Because part or most of the small intestine is bypassed, less food is absorbed.

The procedure

Only a very short length of intestine is left that can absorb food. As a result, most of the food that is eaten is expelled as waste and not absorbed as energy. This can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

Special note: the gallbladder

Bariatric surgery is designed to cause a large amount of weight loss. Weight loss can cause deposits in the gallbladder called gallstones. The gallbladder may be removed during your surgery if you already have gallstones. Or it may need to be removed at a later date if you develop gallstones.

All types of bariatric surgery have different advantages and disadvantages. Be sure to discuss the risks and complications of this surgery with your healthcare provider. 

 

Updated:  

March 21, 2017

Sources:  

Bariatric surgical operations for the management of severe obesity: Descriptions. UpToDate

Reviewed By:  

Demuro, Jonas, MD,Image reviewed by StayWell medical illustration team.,Sather, Rita, RN