SIPS Surgery

The Stomach Intestinal Pylorus-Sparing procedure, or SIPS procedure, is an innovative type of weight loss surgery.

SIPS surgery bypasses part of the digestive tract, creating a smaller stomach and affecting hunger-related hormones.

This helps people who are struggling with obesity lose weight.

What is SIPS Surgery?

SIPS surgery is a modified version of the duodenal switch. Weight loss surgeries like gastric bypass and biliopancreatic diversion with a duodenal switch utilize this technique.

The duodenum is in the small intestine and helps digest and absorb nutrients from the food we eat. SIPS surgery aims to achieve weight loss by changing the digestive process.

During SIPS surgery, the surgeon preserves the pylorus, a part of the stomach, while rerouting a portion of the small intestine. This is the opening between the stomach and the small intestine.

By doing so, it achieves significant weight loss through a combination of reduced food absorption and changes in hormonal signaling.

Advantages of SIPS Surgery

SIPS surgery offers several advantages that make it an appealing option for certain individuals struggling with obesity. Here are some key benefits:

Less Extreme Approach:

Compared to some other weight loss surgeries, SIPS is less invasive and extreme.

This may mean reduced risks of side effects, complications, and unintended consequences, which are important considerations when choosing a surgical solution.

Metabolic Impact:

SIPS surgery is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with severe metabolic forms of obesity.

Changing the digestive process can improve health, like improving blood sugar control and reducing the risk of conditions like type 2 diabetes.

Treating Weight Regain:

SIPS surgery can be a great solution for patients who have experienced weight regain following other bariatric surgeries. 

It offers a way to reignite weight loss, helping patients get back on track with their weight management journey.

Refined Weight Loss Surgery Technique 

SIPS surgery is considered a new weight loss surgical technique, but the term "new" can be somewhat misleading in this context.

In the world of weight loss surgery, innovation often lies in how existing surgical methods and techniques are refined and modified.

SIPS is an accurate example of this, as it is a modification to duodenal switch, a common weight loss technique. This modification has been shown to improve outcomes.

This surgery offers a novel approach to addressing obesity, and its name accurately reflects its key components.

SIPS Surgery vs. Duodenal Bypass

It’s important to differentiate SIPS surgery from the duodenal bypass, a component of gastric bypass.

Both SIPS surgery and the duodenal bypass involve alterations to the duodenum, but they differ in several key aspects.

Complexity

The duodenal bypass is a more complex procedure compared to SIPS surgery.

It involves a greater degree of intestinal rerouting, which can lead to a more significant impact on nutrient absorption and digestion.

SIPS surgery offers a simpler and less invasive approach.

Risk Profile

With complexity comes an increased risk profile. The extent of the procedure increases the risk of side effects and complications associated with the duodenal bypass.

SIPS surgery, by design, minimizes these risks, making it a safer option for many patients.

For example, dumping syndrome is a common complication following certain types of weight loss surgeries.

This occurs when food moves too quickly from the stomach to the small intestine, causing uncomfortable and sometimes severe symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal cramps, sweating, and heart palpitations.

SIPS surgery is designed to minimize the risk of dumping syndrome by preserving the pylorus, which regulates the release of stomach contents into the small intestine.

Hormonal Effects

Both procedures affect hormonal signaling in the body, which can contribute to weight loss and metabolic improvements. The adjustment to the digestive tract affects the hormones that signal the feelings of fullness and hunger.

However, the extent and nature of these hormonal changes can differ between SIPS surgery and the duodenal bypass, potentially leading to variations in outcomes.

Always discuss the potential hormonal effects with your doctor.