About Duodenal Switch Surgery
This information is intended for general information only and should not be considered as medical advice on the part of Health-Tourism.com. Any decision on medical treatments, after-care or recovery should be done solely upon proper consultation and advice of a qualified physician.
What is Duodenal Switch Surgery?
Duodenal switch surgery, also called Biliopancreatic Diversion with Duodenal Switch or Gastric Reduction Duodenal Switch, is a weight loss surgery.
The Duodenal switch procedure involves a restrictive aspect and a malabsorptive aspect. The restrictive aspect limits food intake by reducing stomach size and the malabsorptive aspect means fat absorption is reduced by making your food bypass part of the small intestine, resulting in fewer calories and weight loss.
How is Duodenal Switch procedure carried out?
- The duodenal switch procedure is carried out through an incision in the abdomen or by laparoscopy.
- In the restrictive part of the duodenal switch surgery, up to 85 percent of the stomach is removed.
- In the malabsorptive part of the surgery, the surgeon reroutes one portion of the small intestine to create three loops.
- The stomach is attached to the duodenum (the upper small intestine), which is attached to the lower portion of the small intestine.
- Rerouting the pathways has the aim of reducing the amount of time calories are able to be absorbed from food in the small intestine.
Who is a suitable candidate for the Duodenal Switch Surgery?
According to The National Institutes of Health, the duodenal switch procedure is suitable for people with a BMI of 40 or over, or a BMI of 35 and above along with an obesity-related illness such as heart disease or diabetes.
Suitable candidates have been obese for at least five years and have no history of alcohol abuse or untreated depression.
What are the chances of success with Duodenal Switch Surgery?
According to data from the Journal of the American Medical Association, most people lose 75 to 80 percent of excess weight in the first year following duodenal switch surgery.
What surgeon performs Duodenal Switch Surgery?
A specialist weight loss surgeon performs the procedure.
Duration of procedure/surgery : Duodenal switch surgery takes between 3 and 4 hours to complete and may be carried out in two parts.
Days admitted : Duodenal switch surgery commonly requires a hospital stay of around 4 days.
Anesthesia : Local or general anesthesia.
Recovery : Patients normally return to everyday activities within 3 to 5 weeks.
Risks : - Infection.
- Perforated bowel or stomach.
- Bleeding or blood clots.
- Vitamin and mineral deficiencies.
- Changes in body odor, diarrhea.
- Gallstones.
After care : - Due to a reduced ability to absorb vitamins from your food following duodenal switch surgery, you will need to take daily supplements of multivitamins, calcium, and fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E and K.
- You may receive medication for reducing the risk of post-operative gallstones.
- Immediately after duodenal switch surgery you will only be able to consume liquids, moving onto semi-solids then solids. Liquids may be difficult to digest following surgery.
- Take prescribed medications to control pain.
- You may need to alter your diet to remove bloating and gassiness produced by certain foods such as starchy or high-carbohydrate foods.
Learn more about Duodenal Switch Surgery