Duodenal switch surgery is a combination of a gastric sleeve and gastric bypass surgery. It is one of the more rare primary treatments for morbid obesity that is usually covered by insurance. The procedure is occasionally done as a secondary procedure after a failed gastric band surgery.
- You will lose weight.
- It may reduce hunger.
- You may have nutritional deficiencies.
- You will have to take vitamins for the rest of your life.
- You will not get dumping syndrome if you eat sugar like a gastric bypass.
- Many bariatric surgeons do not offer this procedure.
- It can require more than 6 hours of operating time.
- You will have to change your diet to get enough healthy calorie foods.
- You will likely improve or cure most or all of your obesity related comorbidities.
How Duodenal Switch Surgery Works
Duodenal Switches are done by stapling about 70% of the stomach off and leaving the rest of the stomach connected as it normally does to the first part of the intestine (the duodenum). Then before the intestine reach the appendix the intestine is cut and then re-attached at a lower area of the intestine. This prevents the bile and digestive juices to only start processing the food when it gets further down the intestine resulting in less caloric absorption. Because of this longer period between eating and digestion of food, the food passes to the colon faster, and the patient doesn’t process the full amount of calories he or she normally would have.
- It is both restrictive and malabsorptive.
- This procedure uses staples to reduce your stomach size to about 30% of its normal size. This limits the amount of food that you can eat in one sitting.
- Food still passes through the stomach to its normal entry into the intestine. It is then re-routed and reconnected farther down the intestine. This creates significant malabsorption of calories.
Duodenal Switch is a successful procedure when done with an experienced surgeon. It is a longer and more technically demanding surgery than a gastric band or gastric bypass. Because this procedure is both malabsorptive and restrictive almost everyone loses weight.
Duodenal Switches typically create the longest bypass of the intestine which is why a surgeon must be careful to not bypass too much intestine. Duodenal Switch typically results in more weight loss than other bariatric procedures.
Amount of Weight Loss from Duodenal Switches
Duodenal Switch produces excellent long term weight loss based on clinical reporting. Many surgeons and studies report 70 to 80% excess weight loss with long term patient follow-up. Successful bariatric surgery is defined as a procedure that produce over 50% excess weight loss. Most studies report over 80% success rates for duodenal switch patients.
Obesity related comorbidities show the following cure rate after DS surgery:
- Type 2 Diabetes – 98% cured
- Hyperlipidemia – 99% cured
- Hypertension – 83% cured
- Sleep Apnea – 92% cured
For the reasons mentioned above, duodenal switch/bpd surgery should always be a considered operation. If dietary guidelines are not followed, it is possible to regain weight after significant weight loss.
More information
Who it´s for:
All weight loss surgeries should be done as a last resort. Duodenal Switch surgery is a major surgery and should be considered when other weight loss alternatives have failed.
Does it work?
- Yes.
- It cures Type 2 diabetes and other obesity related illnesses.
Complications from BPD/Duodenal Switch:
Complications rates from surgery are low but can be serious:
- Stomach leak
- Bowel obstruction
- Severe malnutrition
- Excess bleeding
- Infection
- Intestinal leak
- Nutritional Deficiencies
Cost:
- Prices range from $12,000 USD to $22,000 USD.
- Its occasionally covered by insurance. Check your insurance carrier coverage for DS.