Restrictive Procedures
Malabsorptive Procedures that Alter Digestion

Malabsorptive Procedures that Alter Digestion
It can be said that some of the restrictive approaches discussed above have not always achieved the excess weight loss surgeons and patients anticipated. For this reason, procedures that alter digestion, known as malabsorptive procedures, were developed to work in conjunction with restrictive approaches. Some of these techniques involve a bypass of the small intestine, thus limiting the absorption of calories. On balance, malabsorptive or malabsorptive/restrictive procedures have resulted in an overall increase in the loss of excess weight. The risk of complications and side effects generally increases with the lengthening of the small intestine bypass. You and your surgeon must determine the risks and benefits over your lifetime with the type of weight loss surgery you choose.

Basically, weight loss operations fall into three categories:

• Restrictive procedures make the stomach smaller to limit the amount of food intake.
• Malabsorptive techniques reduce the amount of intestine that comes in contact with food so that the body absorbs fewer calories.
• Combination operations take advantage of both restriction and malabsorption.