|
The
stomach can hold about 3 pints of food at one time. When the
stomach contents move to the duodenum, the first segment of the
small intestine, bile and pancreatic juices speed up digestion.
Most of the iron and calcium in the foods we eat is absorbed in
the duodenum. The jejunum and ileum, the remaining two segments
of the nearly 20 feet of small intestine, complete the
absorption of almost all calories and nutrients. The food
particles that cannot be digested in the small intestine are
stored in the large intestine (made up of the ascending colon,
transverse colon, descending colon, sigmoid colon and rectum)
until eliminated.
Obesity surgery involves making changes to the stomach and/or
small intestine.
What is Morbid Obesity?
Morbid obesity is when your weight threatens either your health
or life. It is a disease in which the accumulation of excess
fatty tissue interferes with other bodily organs causing
serious, life-threatening health problems called co-morbidities.
|