Duodenum

The first part of the small intestine is referred to as duodenum. It is around 9 to 11 inches long and is followed by the jejunum and the ileum. It is the shortest and widest part of the small intestine. It is a C-shaped structure that is located in the upper abdominal area near the midline. The partially digested food mixed with acid is passed to the duodenum via the pyloric sphincter. In the duodenum the food is mixed with bile (secreted by the liver and stored in the gallbladder) and digestive juices from the pancreas. The absorption of various nutrients such as the minerals and vitamins starts in the duodenum. Due to the exposure to acidic contents of the stomach, the duodenum, especially the upper segment is quite prone to develop peptic ulcers, a disease that is characterized by symptoms of abdominal pain, regurgitation of food, weight loss, and loss of appetite.

Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery

Obesity is a worldwide problem of increasing prevalence. Ideally, and in its less severe stages, obesity can be controlled with diet management and a regular exercise program. At times, obesity may be so severe that it is termed morbid obesity. Weight loss surgery, including gastric bypass and the gastric sleeve are surgical procedures whose utility in combating morbid obesity are recognized by both medical and surgical specialists. Patients who have a BMI greater than 35 or those with a BMI of 30 or more who are also suffering from life-threatening illnesses curable with weight loss are considered as possible candidates for bariatric surgery.

Lap - Band Surgery

Laparoscopic gastric banding is a surgery that reduces the capacity of the stomach with the help of a silicone ring and an inflatable balloon that is fitted on the outside of the stomach. The balloon inflates with the injection of fluid through the injection port. This narrows the opening of the upper pouch, wherein the amount of food you eat is controlled while the emptying process of the stomach pouch is slowed.

Gallbladder

One of the functions of the gallbladder is to concentrate the bile produced by the liver. Mainly by removing water, the bile is reduced from a fifth to a tenth of its original volume until reaching the maximum capacity of the gallbladder at about 50 milliliters. This concentration is a kind of balancing act. If the gallbladder doesn’t concentrate the bile, then there may not be enough active ingredients to break down a heavy load of fat, resulting in digestive problems. If the gallbladder performs too much concentration, the lack of water may stimulate the formation of gallstones around impurities in the high saturation of cholesterol.

Sleeve

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a restrictive procedure that reduces the size of the stomach but does not alter the gastrointestinal tract or the pylorus. Because the route of ingested food through the gastrointestinal tract is not altered, nutrients are better absorbed. The patient is less dependent on vitamin supplements as the food is absorbed in a more natural manner.

Laparoscopic Gastric Bypass Surgery

What occurs during laparoscopic gastric bypass? Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass works by temporarily decreasing hunger and cravings, restricting the amount of food you can eat at one time and reducing the absorption of calories. The Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass is considered by many experts to be the current gold standard procedure for bariatric surgery. Although the surgery is typically not reversible, it is the most popular form of bariatric surgery.