Duodenal Switch Surgery

The duodenal switch surgery entails two parts. First, a sleeve gastrectomy is conducted. Subsequently, an intestinal bypass similar to but longer than gastric bypassing is carried out.

This bariatric procedure boasts some of the highest long-term weight loss results, with studies revealing up to 80% excess weight loss and resolution of obesity-related health conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Unfortunately, due to its malabsorptive element it also poses the greatest risk of malnutrition.

Reducing the Size of the Stomach

Duodenal switch surgery allows surgeons to drastically shrink the stomach by extracting about 65% of its volume, as well as shorten the path food takes through it, leading to faster weight loss than would be otherwise achieved through diet alone. By restricting and malabsorbing food into its respective organs, duodenal switch allows fast weight loss.

Most patients can lose most of their excess weight within one year after having weight-loss surgery, and the procedure can help regain control over obesity-related conditions such as Type 2 diabetes. Furthermore, surgery has even helped some individuals overcome serious obesity-related health complications such as hypertension, heart disease and obstructive sleep apnea.

NKCH’s expert bariatric team provides multiple weight-loss options, including minimally-invasive duodenal switch. To gain more information, attend one of NKCH’s free informational seminars or contact our team directly.

Rerouting the Small Intestine

Biliopancreatic diversion with duodenal switch (BPD-DS) is the most intricate bariatric surgery procedure, involving removal of part of your stomach to encourage smaller meal sizes, as well as redirection of small intestine segments in order to limit caloric absorption.

As the result of this combination, bariatric surgery provides the highest percentage of weight loss possible.
BPD-DS also creates a larger stomach sleeve than gastric bypass does to allow more food consumption at once.

More Weight Loss

Duodenal switch surgery provides rapid and long-term weight loss that is easier than any other bariatric procedure option, while helping reduce food consumption to prevent nutritional deficiencies.

Duodenal switching allows your stomach to empty more slowly and produce less hunger-inducing hormones, so that you feel full faster after meals. Furthermore, longer digestion periods allow more calories and nutrients to enter your intestines resulting in greater weight loss.

At the outset of surgery, your surgeon will use a stapling instrument to cut away part of your stomach to create a “stomach pouch,” or sleeve. Subsequently, this procedure reroutes the first section of small intestine (duodenum) directly to this pouch sleeve.

Recovery

Under gastric sleeve surgery, your surgeon removes most of your stomach to reduce its volume, then connects your stomach to the duodenum (first part of small intestine), thus redirecting food and limiting how many calories you absorb.

Patients typically do not feel hungry after surgery; however, it is still essential to follow a healthy diet in order to keep weight under control.

Maintaining weight control after duodenal switch requires a dedicated lifestyle commitment, including making sure you’re receiving adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals from food sources. Regular blood work and medical checkups may be needed to assess these requirements; please talk to our doctors if this concerns you as they’d be more than willing to assist!