To better understand how weight loss surgery works, it is important to understand how your gastrointestinal tract functions. As the food you consume moves through the tract, various digestive juices and enzymes are introduced at specific stages that allow absorption of nutrients. Food material that is not absorbed is then prepared for elimination. A simplified description of the gastrointestinal tract appears below. Your doctor can provide a more detailed diagram to help you better understand how weight loss surgery works.
- esophagus
- abdomen
- stomach
- cardiac sphincter
- pylorus
- small intestine
- duodenum
- jejunum
- ileum
- pyloric sphincter
- large intestines
