June 27, 2022
Stomach Intestinal Pylorus-Sparing Surgery (SIPS) is a relatively new weight loss procedure that offers the benefits of sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, helping patients to lose weight by reducing the size of their stomach and bypassing part of the food digestion process. Although the procedure is now widely prescribed by weight loss surgeons, most patients know little to nothing about it, it being a relatively new procedure. That’s the reason why, in this article, we answer some of the commonly asked questions about SIPS weight loss surgery.
How does SIPS work?
The SIPS Procedure involves removing about 85 percent of the stomach, leaving a small, tube-shaped stomach. After that, the duodenum is separated from the remaining tract, and a loop of the small intestine from the terminal ileum is connected to the stomach, to support the absorption of nutrients. The reduction in stomach size not only makes the patient feel full after consuming a small portion of the meal, there is always a reduction in the level of the hunger hormone – ghrelin.
What are the benefits of SIPS?
Compared to older weight loss procedures, SIPS offers a number of benefits to patients. Besides being capable of producing a high resolution of diabetes, the procedure also causes less fluctuations in the patient’s blood sugar level, compared to gastric bypass. After undergoing SIPS, patients have also reported greater weight loss compared to those who underwent vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) or Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass (RYGB).
What is the success rate of SIPS?
Although no long-term study data is available for the SIPS procedure, as it is relatively new; there have been a number of studies on smaller samples, which have shown notably high success rates. While most studies concur that it is capable of producing greater weight loss compared to standard sleeve gastrectomy and gastric bypass, some more focused studies have shown that it has helped patients lose up to 90 percent of the excess weight.
Who is eligible for SIPS?
Besides being prescribed to patients who continue to gain weight after sleeve gastrectomy and those with Type-2 diabetes, SIPS can also be an ideal option for anyone who is looking for a more effective procedure than the sleeve gastrectomy sans the side-effects of the gastric bypass. The procedure, however, may not be suitable for patients with severe esophageal reflux and Barrett’s esophagus. In such cases, gastric bypass could be a better option.
Wrap Up
Despite being a relatively new procedure, SIPS is now recommended by an increasing number of weight loss surgeons, for the kind of results it has shown so far. If you are looking for a suitable procedure to get rid of those extra pounds and feeling lost in the options available, talk to a weight loss surgeon at DFW Bariatrics & Surgical. Book an appointment today. If you have any questions or would like to learn more about our specialties and capabilities, simply call 469-620-0222 or 469-620-0223, or email at [email protected].