Each weight loss surgery is different. To understand how the procedures at the Weight Loss Center at Plymouth General Surgery are different from each other, it helps to begin by looking at the digestive tract. The stomach is located in the upper left part of the abdominal cavity.

Once food is chewed and swallowed, it moves down the esophagus, through the esophageal sphincter, and empties into the stomach. More specifically, it passes through the pylorus into the duodenum. Digestive juices and enzymes digest and absorb calories and nutrients along the way. Once in the duodenum, bile and pancreatic juice speed up the digestive process and calcium and iron are absorbed.

Connected to the small intestine, contents move from the duodenum to the jejunum and ileum, where almost all calories and nutrients from food are absorbed. Particles of food that can’t be digested in the small intestine are stored in the large intestine and eliminated.