Bariatric Surgery: BPD/DS Gastric Bypass

Written By: Sharon Cretsinger

The full name of BPD/DS, a weight loss surgery Washington DC, is the Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch.  It is performed by first creating a small, tubular stomach pouch via the removal of a large portion of the stomach.  Next, a large portion of the small intestine is bypassed.  Initially, the patient is able to consume only a small amount of food.  Eventually, however, food consumption can return to almost normal because the amount of calories and nutrients absorbed by the body is significantly reduced in the bypass of much of the small intestine.  This weight loss surgery DC is considered very effective for patients who are trying to control diabetes.

BPD/DS Gastric Bypass Bariatric Surgery Washington DC

The BPD/DS gastric bypass offers a number of advantages to patients who choose this kind of support for weight loss.

• At a five year follow-up point, most patients have lost 60-70% of their initial excess weight.
• Patients will eventually be able to eat nearly "normal" meals.
• The calories absorbed by the body from fat are reduced by over 70%.
• Favorable changes in gut hormones that reduce appetite and promote feelings of fullness have been noted post-surgically.
• This is the most effective bariatric surgery for patients with diabetes.

Here are a few of the disadvantages of this procedure:

• Deficiencies in protein and other nutrients can be a problem in the long term.
• Patients must be willing to comply with all recommended follow-up visits.
• A life-long program of nutritional supplementation must be carefully followed.
• The surgery itself is fairly extensive and will require a significant hospital stay and recovery time.
• Rates of post-surgical complication and mortality are higher for the BPD/DS gastric bypass procedure than for some other types of Bariatric Surgery Washington DC.

While this is a relatively serious surgery, it is certainly worthwhile to consider for patients who are facing complications of diabetes that are potentially severe, for example blindness or limb amputation.  The fact that patients are eventually able to consume close to "normal" amounts of food at meal time is also a very big advantage over other procedures that permanently limit intake to a very small amount.  Click here for more information on weight management Washington DC.