Including: Obstipation Surgery and Corrective Abdominoplasty

We are proud to introduce outside Brazil , the pioneering work of one of our leading bariatric surgeons. Like all our physicians, he brings together a team of accredited doctors and nurses who are similarly dedicated to a better health and lifestyle of Obesity sufferers.

Known as HYPOFUNCTIONING REVERSIBLE INTESTINAL BYPASS AA SOUZA & SOUZA this innovative procedure was introduced in the 1980's and it was made widely known in national and international symposiums through the 1990's. This surgery differs from the limited intestinal diversion of the 1950's through the 1970's. The principles are also totally different from the procedures related to the stomach (such as gastric bypass) in which only a small quantity of food is allowed per meal.

The Hypofunctioning Reversible Intestinal Bypass surgery is based on reducing the absorption of food in the small bowel where nutrients are absorbed. The consumption of food can be in large or small quantities depending on the individual.

This procedure is undertaken in the small bowel where an intestinal bypass is carried out at the level of the jejunum up to the ileum just after the area where fundamental nutrients for the body's basic needs are absorbed . With Intestinal Bypass surgery the area of absorption for essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates, fat, vitamins, mineral salts, among others, are preserved. - The stomach is kept undisturbed - Once the procedure has taken place, the chyme (food after being in the stomach) that travels through the bypass is absorbed initially by 50%, then by 1/3, 1/4 and 1/5. In most patients cases, it is followed by a reduction of appetite.

The weight loss occurs because although the patient keeps eating the same quantities of food as before undergoing surgery, he/she will absorb less of the chyme within the diverted segment. The food travels different routes in the small bowel: Part of the food passes through the bypass (as if it were a short cut in a road) and the other part travels the whole intestine, ensuring that nutrients are always present. Overweight people have longer or wider intestines that differ from person to person, thus bypasses also differ among patients, some being longer while others are shorter.

Obstipated patients (intestinal constipation) are prone to gain even more weight as food sits in the intestine for longer period thus restricting the passage of water and fat to the large intestine. Known as the ILEUMTERMINAL VALVULEPLASTY procedure, patients will be encouraged to undergo such operation at the same time as when undergoing Intestinal Bypass in order to have a better transit of food within the small bowel.

Also included in this operation is CORRECTIVE ABDOMINOPLASTY, as in plastic surgery i.e. to remove excess fat from the abdomen.

This new Bypass procedure is excellent news to obesity sufferers who do not want to be dictated by the amount of food they have to intake in order to keep their weight under control. Unlike Gastric Bypass, the Intestinal Bypass does not restrict the patient from eating the usual amount of food he/she is used to. From all that is eaten, only the essential nutrients such as proteins, carbohydrates vitamins etc are absorbed by the small bowel.

Another great advantage of Intestinal Bypass is that patients do not necessarily need the support of a psychologist or nutritionist as in the case of Gastric Bypass. Followed by our medical advice, patients resume eating with moderation normally 15 days after the operation and are free to eat as they please after 45 days, but avoiding excess fats.

Hyper absorptive patients become normal absorptive, therefore will inevitably loose weight. Weight loss varies from 2 kilos up to 30 kilos for the first two months and between 1 kilo to 10 kilos each month until the ideal weight has been achieved.

Intestine Bypass is less risky than stomach surgery because homologous (same relation) structures are sutured – i.e. intestine with intestine.

The Intestinal Bypass is a reversible surgery. Should the patient need to absorb more nutrients, for medical reasons, such as undergoing treatment of HIV, Tuberculosis etc.

Our doctor have also practiced reversible “ Gastric Bypass ” to Intestinal Bypass to patients who have lost excessive weight or have regained too much weight due to other health related matters.

The number of intestine bypass operations carried out by our doctor in Brazil , up to early 2005, have successfully reached the 1300 mark. This also includes many happy Brazilian celebrities.

The procedure is performed under either general or epidural anaesthetic. Our doctor normally advise the latter option as the patient is awake and is able to talk during the operation, thus reducing the risk of complication. However, anaesthesia and follow up checks will be advised by the doctor.

The incision is made above the pubic hair area.

The operation can take several hours.

You will spend 4 days in hospital for the Bypass, or

2 days in case of Ileumterminal Valvuleplasty Surgery which is aimed at intestinal constipation sufferers only.

It is recommend that patients remain in the city until drains and stitches are removed.